Rossville Bulldawgs

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Hayden and Rossville's boys and the Silver Lake girls got their midseason tournament week off to a good start with Tuesday night wins.

Senior Cameron Miller scored 23 points in Rossville's 63-54 win over Jefferson West Tuesday night in the Valley Falls tournament. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden's boys opened the Baldwin Invitational with a 62-39 win over Wellsville while Rossville's boys topped Jefferson West 63-54 in the first round of the Valley Falls Invitational and the top-ranked (Class 3A) Silver Lake girls rolled to a 61-28 win over Paola in the quarterfinals of the Burlington Invitational.

Hayden took control of its first game in the round-robin Baldwin event with a 23-4 first quarter and led by a commanding 43-12 halftime margin over Wellsville.

The Wildcats will play Bishop Seabury, a 64-35 first-round loser to Baldwin, at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Rossville advanced to the Valley Falls Invitational semifinals on Friday with Tuesday's win over Jeff West as senior Cameron Miller scored 23 points, Jakoby McDonnell 16 and Jack Donovan 13 against the Tigers.

The Bulldawgs will face Christ Prep at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The undefeated Silver Lake girls rolled past Paola 61-28  to set up a 3:30 p.m. Thursday semifinal against Girard.

Silver Lake's boys dropped an 82-69 quarterfinal Burlington Invitational decision to Paol, falling to 8-3 on the season.

The Eagles will play an 8:15 p.m. consolation game on Thursday against Girard, a 53-27 first-round loser to Sabetha.

Cair Paravel Latin's girls dropped a 54-41 first-round decision to Lyndon in the Flint Hills League Tournament at Emporia's White Auditorium.

Cair Paravel led 14-8 at the end of the first quarter and 25-21 at the half before Lyndon took control with an 18-6 third quarter.

KellyAnn Chada led the Lions with 14 points while London Backman added 11 points and Karsyn Hastert 9.

CPLS will face West Franklin at 3 p.m. Friday. 

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

The Rossville girls and Cair Paravel Latin boys basketball teams got tournament week off to a rousing start with a pair of big wins on Monday.

Rossville opened its girls title bid in the Jefferson County North Invitational with a 60-22 first-round win over the tournament hosts while Cair Paravel's boys rolled to a 64-30 first-round win over West Franklin in the Flint Hills League tournament at Emporia's White Auditorium.

Senior Rylee Dick scored 27 points Monday against JCN to move into the No. 3 spot on Rossville's all-time scoring list. [File photo/TSN]

Lady Bulldawg senior Rylee Dick scored 27 points in Rossville's win over JCN, moving into the No. 3 spot on Rossville's career scoring list with 1,281 points.

Rossville junior Nora Burdiek added 23 points as the Bulldawgs advanced to a 6 p.m. semifinal on Wednesday.

Cair Paravel's boys, playing West Franklin for the second straight game, took control early with a 19-7 first quarter before opening up a 39-16 halftime advantage.

Blaine Durbin led Cair Paravel with 17 points while Lucas Marichal added 14 points and Caleb Cleverson 13 with three 3-pointers.

Now 9-2 on the season, CPLS will play a semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against Lyndon.

Other area tournament pairings:

TOPEKA INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

BOYS

At Highland Park

Thursday

3:30 p.m. -- Topeka High vs. Shawnee Mission East.

5 -- Lansing vs. Shawnee Mission North.

6:30 -- Topeka West vs. St. Thomas Aquinas.

8 -- Highland Park vs. Wichita Northwest.

Friday

3:30 p.m. -- Topeka High-SM East loser vs. Lansing-SM North loser.

5 -- Topeka West-St. Thomas Aquinas loser vs. High-Wichita Northwest loser.

6:30 -- Topeka High-East winner vs. Lansing-SM North winner.

8 -- Topeka West-St. Thomas Aquinas winner vs. Highland Park-Wichita Northwest winner.

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Fifth place (main gym); Seventh place (South gym).

11:30 -- Third place.

1 p.m. -- Championship.

By Rick Peterson

TopSports.news

Highland Park will host the 65th annual Topeka Invitational Tournament Thursday through Saturday, with Highland Park, Topeka High and Topeka West's boys teams taking part in the event.

 

Christian Ulsaker's Topeka West Chargers are the No. 1 city seed for this week's Topeka Invitational Tournament at Highland Park. [File photo/TSN]

Topeka High, 6-5, will open the tournament at 3:30 p.m. Thursday against Shawnee Mission East (6-5).

Lansing (3-6) and Shawnee Mission North (6-3) are on the same side of the bracket with Topeka High and SM North and will play a first-round game at 5 p.m.

The Topeka High- SM East winner will face the Lansing-SM North winner in a 6:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

Topeka West, 8-2 entering a Tuesday United Kansas Conference home game against Basehor-Linwood, will open its tournament bid at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against St. Thomas Aquinas (3-8).

Host Highland Park (3-7) will close out the first round at 8 p.m. Thursday against Wichita Northwest (5-6), with the Highland Park-Northwest winner advancing to an 8 p.m. semifinal on Friday to face the Topeka West-Aquinas winner.

The tournament will conclude on Saturday, starting with the seventh and fifth-place games at 10 a.m. in separate gyms, followed by the third-place game at 11:30 and the championship contest at 1 p.m.

TOPEKA INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
 
At Highland Park

Thursday

3:30 p.m. -- Topeka High vs. Shawnee Mission East.

5 -- Lansing vs. Shawnee Mission North.

6:30 -- Topeka West vs. St. Thomas Aquinas.

8 -- Highland Park vs. Wichita Northwest.

Friday

3:30 p.m. -- Topeka High-SM East loser vs. Lansing-SM North loser.

5 -- Topeka West-St. Thomas Aquinas loser vs. High-Wichita Northwest loser.

6:30 -- Topeka High-East winner vs. Lansing-SM North winner.

8 -- Topeka West-St. Thomas Aquinas winner vs. Highland Park-Wichita Northwest winner.

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Fifth place (main gym); Seventh place (South gym).

11:30 -- Third place.

1 p.m. -- Championship.

Hayden boys to compete at Baldwin

Hayden, 4-8 on the season, will compete in the four-school Baldwin Invitational round-robin event this week, opening its tournament bid at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday against Wellsville (5-5).

The Wildcats will play Bishop Seabury (7-2) at 5:30 Friday and will wrap things up 2:30 p.m. Saturday against host Baldwin (9-2).

BALDWIN INVITATIONAL

Tuesday

5:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Wellsville.

7 -- Baldwin vs. Bishop Seabury.

Friday

5:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Bishop Seabury.

7 -- Baldwin vs. Wellsville.

Saturday

1 p.m. -- Wellsville vs. Bishop Seabury.

2:30 p.m. -- Hayden vs. Baldwin.

Rural boys headed to Pittsburg

Washburn Rural (7-3) will compete this week in the Bill Hanson Memorial Tournament at Pittsburg, opening with a 4 p.m. first-round game on Thursday against Branson, Mo. in Pittsburg's secondary gym.

Also on Rural's side of the tournament bracket are Olathe North and Willard, Mo., who will play at 7 p.m. Thursday.

On the other side of the bracket Webster Groves, Mo. will face Joplin, Mo. and host Pittsburg will take on Wichita West.

The Rural-Branson winner will play the Olathe North-Willard winner in a 4:30 p.m. semifinal on Friday.

The place games will be played on Saturday, capped by the championship game at 2:30 p.m.

BILL HANSON MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
 
At Pittsburg
 
Thursday

4 p.m. -- Washburn Rural vs. Branson, Mo. (Mallatt gym).

5:30 -- Webster Groves, Mo. vs. Joplin, Mo. (main gym).

7 -- Olathe North vs. Willard, Mo. (Mallatt gym).

8:30 -- Pittsburg. vs. Wichita West (main gym). 

Friday

3 -- Consolation semifinal (Mallatt gym).

4:30 p.m. -- Washburn Rural-Branson winner vs. Olathe North-Willard winner (main gym);

6 -- Consolation semifinal (Mallatt gym).

7:30 -- Pittsburg-Wichita West winner vs. Webster Grove-Joplin winner (main gym).

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Seventh place (Mallatt gym).

11:30 -- Third place (main gym)

1 p.m. -- Fifth place (Mallatt gym).

2:30 p.m. -- Championship game (main gym).

T-Bird boys to compete in Viking Classic

Shawnee Heights, now 7-4, will open competition in the Shawnee Mission West Viking Classic with a 7:30 p.m. Thursday quarterfinal against Blue Valley North (4-4).

Shawnee Heights is coming off a 70-62 non-league road win at Gardner-Edgerton on Saturday.

The T-Birds trailed 35-33 at the half against the Trailblazers but took control with a 20-10 third quarter. 

The Shawnee Heights-BV North winner will advance to a 7:30 semifinal on Friday to take on the first-round winner between Glendale, Mo. and Shawnee Mission West.

On the other side of the bracket Andover Central will play Louisburg in the first round and Raymore-Peculiar, Mo. will play Aurora, Mo. 

The place games will be played on Saturday, with the title game set for 3 p.m.

SHAWNEE MISSION WEST VIKING CLASSIC

Thursday

3 p.m. -- Andover Central vs. Louisburg, 3 p.m.

4:30 -- Raymore-Peculiar, Mo. vs. Aurora, Mo.

6 -- Glendale, Mo. vs. SM West.

7:30 -- Blue Valley North. vs. Shawnee Heights.

Friday

3 p.m. -- Andover Central-Louisburg loser vs. Raymore-Peculiar, Mo.-Aurora, Mo. loser.

4:30 -- Glendale, Mo.-SM West loser vs Blue Valley North-Shawnee Heights loser.

6 -- Andover Central-Louisburg winner vs. Raymore-Peculiar, Mo.-Aurora, Mo. winner.

7:30 -- Glendale, Mo.-SM West winner vs. Blue Valley North-Shawnee Heights winner.

Saturday

10 a.m. -- Seventh place.

11:30 -- Fifth place.

1 p.m. -- Third place.

2:30 -- Championship game.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Led by junior individual runnerups Brodye Kocher-Munoz and Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural boys wrestling captured the team championship Saturday in the 34-school Newton Tournament of Champions by two points over the host Railers, 167.5-165.5.

Washburn Rural boys wrestling won the team championship in the 34-school Newton Tournament of Champions on Saturday. [Photo by Washburn Rural Athletics]

B. Kocher-Munoz, now 20-7 on the season, placed second at 150 pounds, dropping a 7-2 decision to Andale's Tristen Cox in the championship match while Baum, 18-4, finished second at 215 pounds, falling 4-0 to undefeated Cooper Reves in the final.

Rural's Josh Hogan was named the coach of the year.

Washburn Rural had six wrestlers place in the top five, with senior 138-pounder Cooper Stivers (26-6) finishing third, , senior 120-pounder Ryder Harrison (16-5) and senior Landen Kocher-Munoz (23-4) both posting fourth-place finishes and sophomore 285-pounder Kaiden Marshall (6-7) finishing fifth.

Seaman placed 21st as a team with 59.5 points, led by seventh-place 157-pounder Brennen Bowers and eighth-place finishers Deegan Frazier at 150 pounds and Henry Reichart at 285 pounds.

Host Trojans win Topeka Invitational championship

Topeka High won the team title in Saturday's 12-school home tournament, out-distancing Summit Christian Academy by a 171-147 margin as five Trojans earned individual titles.

High got titles from freshman 106-pounder Royal Newman (10-1), junior 113-pounder Jose Gomez (11-3), senior 120-pounder Luis Morones (12-2), senior 157-pounder Jordan Stiner (14-3) and senior 165-pounder Rehabiah Williamson (16-3).    

The Trojans got a second-place finish from junior 132-pounder Asher Filbeck (13-6) while senior 144-pounder Michael Weatherly and senior 150-pounder Brandon Blancas (15-4) posted third-place finishes.

Highland Park got a third-place finish from senior 132-pounder Samuel Portlock (10-3) while Topeka West got a third-place finish from senior 215-pounder Cortez McCutcheon (20-2).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After Topeka High boys basketball posted just one victory last season, first-year coach Robbie Sanders' Trojans continued their resurgence on Friday, improving to 6-5 with a 72-69 overtime Centennial League road victory at Junction City.

Robbie Sanders' Topeka High team improved to 6-5 with a 72-69 OT win at Junction City Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

The Trojans' win was their second in as many nights, with High topping St. Marys Academy 62-32 on Thursday.

Topeka High posted its first Centennial League win to improve to 1-2 while Junction City fell to 5-5 overall and 0-3 in the league.

Topeka High junior Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton scored 25 points in Friday's Centennial League road win at Junction City. [File photo/TSN]

Trojan girls roll to 63-29 Centennial win

Topeka High posted its first Centennial League victory of the season Friday night at Junction City, romping to a 63-29 win over the Blue Jays.

Junior Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton paced the Trojans, now 4-6 overall and 1-2 in the league, with 25 points while senior Keimara Marshall added 15 points and sophomore Hailey Caryl had a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds.

Junction City fell to 1-8 overall and 0-3 in the Centennial League.

Washburn Rural girls top Spartans, 45-34

Washburn Rural's girls improved to 6-3 overall and 2-1 in the Centennial League with a 45-34 road victory at Emporia Friday night.

Emporia dropped to 5-7 overall and 0-2 in the league.

Spartans snap Rural boys' six-game win streak

Emporia boys basketball snapped Washburn Rural's six-game winning streak on Friday, taking a 52-46 home Centennial League win.

Emporia, now 11-1 overall and 2-0 in the Centennial League, led 13-12 at the end of the first quarter and 30-23 at the half before Washburn Rural (7-3, 2-1) cut its deficit to three points (37-34) at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Spartans were able to close out the win with a 15-12 advantage over the final eight minutes.

Sophomore Brooks Ballard and senior John Hoytal led Washburn Rural with 13 points apiece while Hoytal registered a double-double with 11 rebounds.

West girls pick up first UKC victory

Topeka West's girls basketball snapped an eight-game losing streak while picking up its first United Kansas Conference win of the season Friday night in a 66-21 road rout at Kansas City-Turner.

The Chargers are now 2-8 overall and 1-7 in the UKC while Turner fell to 2-8 and 0-6.

Chargers get back on track with 20-point road win

The No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West boys bounced back from a five-point home loss to No. 3 Seaman on Tuesday with a 60-40 United Kansas Conference road win at Kansas City-Turner Friday night.

Topeka West improved to 8-2 overall and 7-1 in the UKC while Turner fell to 3-7 overall and 0-6 in the league.

Lions protect Flint Hills lead with 27-point road win

Cair Paravel Latin's boys improved to 8-2 overall and remained undefeated in the Flint Hills League at 6-0 with an 86-59 road win at West Franklin Friday night.

The Lions opened up a 20-15 lead at the end of the first quarter and used a 27-17 second quarter to boost its advantage to 47-32 at the half.

Cair Paravel put the game out of reach with a 23-9 third quarter and cruised the rest of the way.

Senior Lucas Marichal and sophomore Chase Hastert led the Lions with 19 points apiece while Blaine Durbin added 18 points, Drew Fay 11 and Caleb Cleverdon 10.

West Franklin, now 1-8 overall and 1-5 in the league, got 22 points from Landon Ohlde and 21 from Zeek Dowd.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Highland Park senior girls basketball standout Koralee Jones registered a quadruple-double in Tuesday's 68-10 home Meadowlark Conference victory over Kansas City-Sumner.

 Highland Park senior Koralee Jones registered a quadruple-double in Tuesday's 68-10 Meadowlark Conference win over Kansas City-Sumner. [File photo/TSN]

Jones scored 22 points with 13 rebounds, 10 steals and 10 assists as Highland Park improved to 3-5 overall and 3-1 in the conference.

Highland Park officials said that they have been told that based on available records and news reports there are no verified instances of a previous Kansas high school girls player officially recording a quadruple-double although there have been several near-misses.

The Scots will be back in action Thursday, playing a non-league game at Shawnee Heights before hosting KC-Harmon on Friday in a Meadowlark Conference contest.

Hayden star junior bowler Kelton Meier opened his 2026 season on Tuesday with a 785 series, including a 300 game. [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Hayden's Meier bowls perfect 300 game 

Hayden junior Kelton Meier, who helped the Wildcats win a Class 4A-1A state bowling championship to end the 2025 season, opened '26 with a spectacular performance on Tuesday in the Hayden quadrangular at Gage Bowl, rolling a 785 series, including a perfect 300 game in his final game of the day.

Meier opened his series with a 227 and rolled a 258 in the second game before achieving perfection in the third game.

Andrew Lee added a 611 series, Reece Renyer a 585, Ashton Litke a 562 and Jason Ahlstedt a 530 as Hayden claimed the team crown over Centennial League foe Manhattan.

Hayden's girls finished second to Manhattan, with Emily Peterson leading the Wildcats with a 457 series.

Manhattan's Cortlynn Millington won the girls individual title with a 720 series, including a 279 game.

Sabres top Highland Park boys

Kansas City-Sumner's boys improved to 5-5 overall and 3-2 in the Meadowlark Conference with a 73-52 Tuesday night road win at Highland Park.

The Scots fell to 2-6 overall and 2-2 in the conference.

Highland Park will play a non-league game at Shawnee Heights on Thursday before hosting KC-Harmon in a Meadowlark contest on Friday.

Seaman girls fall to De Soto in UKC tilt

Coming off a 23-point United Kansas Conference win at Topeka West a night earlier, the No. 10-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman girls dropped a 52-38 home UKC decision to De Soto on Wednesday.

The Vikings trailed the Wildcats 15-7 at the end of the opening quarter and 26-17 at the half.

Seaman got back in the hunt with a 17-13 third quarter but the Wildcats closed with a 13-3 fourth stanza, pulling away at the free throw line.

Senior Maddie Gragg led the Vikings (6-3 overall, 6-2 UKC) with nine points while sophomore Claire Puvogel added eight points and Cara Beaton, Lydia Dreher and Brynn Spencer seven points apiece.

Maddie Leis led De Soto with 20 points.

Seaman will be back at home Friday to host UKC foe Leavenworth.

Lion boys protect Flint Hills lead with win over Osage City

Cair Paravel boys basketball improved to 7-2 overall and a perfect 5-0 in the Flint Hills League with a 51-40 home win over Osage City Tuesday night.

The Lions jumped out to a 13-8 first-quarter lead and led 27-15 at the half.

Osage City used an 18-7 third quarter to get within a point before the Lions closed things out with a 17-7 fourth quarter.

"Huge league win against an extremely talented and well-coached Osage City team,'' CPLS coach Chip Kueffer said in a text.

Senior Lucas Marichal led Cair Paravel with 16 points while Chase Hastert added 13 points and Blaine Durbin 11.

The Lions will travel to West Franklin on Friday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TUESDAY'S GAMES

Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High

Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden

TOPEKA HIGH (3-5, 0-1 Centennial) at HAYDEN (8-2, 2-0 Centennial)

Hayden is coming off a 38-35 Centennial League win at Washburn Rural last Friday while Topeka High had its three-game winning streak snapped by league foe Manhattan, 67-55. Sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein led Hayden with 17 points, including three 3-pointers, against Rural while senior Lauren Borjon added 8 points with a pair of 3s. Junior Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton led Topeka High with 21 points against Manhattan while sophomore Hailey Caryl added 17 points with three 3-pointers.  

SEAMAN (5-2, 5-1 Centennial) at TOPEKA WEST (1-7, 0-6 Centennial)

Seaman is coming off a 54-12 United Kansas Conference win over Lansing last Friday while Topeka West dropped a 69-36 conference decision at Basehor-Linwood. Junior Brynn Spencer led Seaman with 15 points against Lansing while Baylee Ayres and Lydia Dreher added 10 points. Seaman took a 45-26 win over Topeka West on Dec. 12. The Chargers will be looking to snap a seven-game losing streak.

Koralee Jones, Highland Park 

KANSAS CITY-SUMNER (2-6, 2-4 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-5, 1-2 Meadowlark)

Highland Park dropped a 66-42 Meadowlark Conference decision to Atchison last Friday while KC-Sumner is coming off a 76-7 loss to KC-Wyandotte. Koralee Jones and Zayah Kincaid paced Highland Park with 14 points apiece against Atchison, with Kincaid draining three 3-pointers.

PIPER (6-2, 5-0 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (6-3, 5-1 UKC)

Shawnee Heights rolled to a 53-22 United Kansas Conference win over Leavenworth last Friday while league-leading Piper is coming off a 69-34 non-league loss to Blue Valley Northwest. T-Bird senior Imani McGlory scored 18 points with four 3-pointers against Leavenworth while juniors Pearmella Carter and KK Emmot scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. Piper handed Shawnee Heights its lone UKC loss on Dec. 9, 50-45.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TUESDAY'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

Bryson McComas, Topeka High

TOPEKA HIGH (4-4, 0-1) at HAYDEN (3-7, 0-2)

Both the Trojans and Wildcats will be looking to bounce back from Friday night losses, with Topeka High dropping a 70-63 home Centennial League decision to Manhattan and Hayden dropping its second straight league game, a 79-62 decision at Washburn Rural. Mar'saun Redmond led Topeka High with 16 points against Manhattan while Jalen Aldridge and Bryson McComas added 14 points apiece. Carter Compton scored 20 points for Hayden against Washburn Rural while Connor Hanika added 15 points.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

Gad Munganga, Topeka West

SEAMAN (6-1, 5-1) at TOPEKA WEST (7-1, 6-0)

No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Topeka West will host No. 5 Seaman in a key United Kansas Conference matchup. Seaman senior star KaeVon Bonner is coming off a 42-point performance in Friday's 65-46 UKC win at Lansing while Landon Wiltz added 10 points and Griffin Zuniga 9. West is coming off a 56-45 conference win at Basehor-Linwood, with senior guard Gad Munganga pacing the Chargers with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Senior Keimani Paul added 12 points and junior Prince Lassiter 10.

JoJo Kingcannon, Highland Park

KANSAS CITY-SUMNER (4-5, 2-2) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-5, 2-1)

Highland Park played No. 2-ranked (Class 4A) Atchison tough in a 57-51 Meadowlark Conference home loss Friday night. Junior JoJo Kingcannon led the Scots with 18 points. Highland Park will be facing a KC-Sumner team that is coming off a 59-40 Meadowlark loss to KC-Wyandotte, a team Highland Park beat earlier in the season. 

PIPER (5-3, 3-2) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-4, 3-3)

Shawnee Heights jumped out to a 35-5 halftime lead on the way to a 60-24 home United Kansas Conference win last Friday while Piper is coming off a non-league loss to Lincon Prep, Mo. Freshman Quincy Dixon led the T-Birds with 19 points while junior Cam Ross added 18 points and senior Ja'Veon Alston 13.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Six Shawnee County senior football standouts, who all earned spots on TopSports.news' 2025 All-Shawnee County football team, have been invited to play for the East in the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl, which will be played on June 27 at Emporia State's Welch Stadium.

Invited to play in the Shrine Bowl are Seaman's Cameron Brian, Washburn Rural's Brody Haas, Rossville's Andre Johnson, Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson, Hayden's Kade Mitchell and Highland Park's Tremaine Savage.

Rossville coach Derick Hammes was named earlier to serve as an assistant coach for the East.

Here's a look at the six local Shrine Bowl picks: 

Cameron Brian, Seaman

CAMERON BRIAN, Seaman

A 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior linebacker, Brian was one of six All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat picks and received All-United Kansas Conference first-team honors for the second straight season. Brian was in on 111 total tackles this past fall with eight tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

BRODY HAAS, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior linebacker, Haas registered 114 total tackles with 80 solo stops for the 6-4 Junior Blues. Haas recorded 14 tackles for loss with a sack and had two pass interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, while forcing two fumbles and recovering two fumbles and recording eight quarterback pressures.

Andre Johnson, Rossville  

ANDRE JOHNSON, Rossville

A 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior fullback/linebacker, Johnson moved up to the All-Shawnee County Top 22 this past season after being a Second 22 pick as a junior. Johnson was in on 133 tackles for the 11-Bulldawgs (74 solo), with two tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. Offensively, Johnson carried the ball 58 times for 365 yards. Johnson was a second-team All-Big East League pick on defense.

 Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake

Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back, was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selection in 2025 after catching 75 passes for 1,053 yards and eight touchdowns and registering 59 tackles with two pass interceptions. Johnson earned first-team All-Big East League recognition on offense and second-team honors on defense this past fall. 

Kade Mitchell, Hayden

KADE MITCHELL, Hayden

Mitchell, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior running back/defensive back, was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat pick this past season and was named the Shawnee County co-offensive player of the year. Mitchell carried the ball 106 times for 1,003 yards, caught 23 passes for 471 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns this season for the 12-1 Wildcats while being in on 34 tackles and compiling 372 kickoff and punt return yards as Hayden advanced to its third straight Class 3A title game..

Tremaine Savage, Highland Park  

TREMAINE SAVAGE, Highland Park

Savage, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back, was named the Meadowlark Conference co-defensive player of the year in 2025 after helping lead Highland Park to a 5-1 on-field record and a conference championship. Savage averaged 6.6 tackles per game and registered 15 pass breakups. Offensively, Savage caught six passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, earning second-team all-conference honors at receiver. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Seaman senior star KaeVon Bonner scored 42 points Friday night as the No. 5-ranked Vikings rolled to a 65-46 United Kansas Conference road victory over Lansing.

Senior KaeVon Bonner scored a career-high 42 points in Friday's 65-46 UKC win over Lansing. [File photo/TSN]

Bonner, who recently surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career, scored 15 points in the first quarter, followed by seven points in the second quarter, 11 in the third and nine points in the fourth quarter as Seaman improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the UKC.

Seaman jumped out to an 18-8 first-quarter advantage and led 30-16 at the half. The Vikings were still in front by 14 points (48-34) at the end of the third quarter and outscored the Lions 17-12 over the final eight minutes to close out the 19-point win.

The Vikings got 10 points from senior Landon Wiltz and 9 from senior Griffin Zuniga.

Seaman will play a UKC game at Topeka West on Tuesday. The Chargers handed the Vikings their only loss on Dec. 12.

Lady Vikes bounce back with 54-12 UKC rout

After having their four-game winning streak snapped by St. James Academy on Wednesday, Seaman's girls got back on the winning track with a 54-12 United Kansas Conference win at Lansing Friday night.

Now 5-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference, Seaman got 15 points from junior Brynn Spencer, 10 points apiece from sophomore Lydia Dreher and freshman Baylee Ayres and 7 from senior Maddie Gragg, who had 20 points in Wednesday's game against St. James.

The Vikings will play a UKC game at Topeka West on Tuesday. Seaman took a home win over the Chargers on Dec. 12.

Gad Munganga, Topeka West

West boys take 11-point road win over Bobcats

Topeka West ended its three-game week with a 56-45 road United Kansas Conference road victory at Basehor-Linwood Friday night.

After suffering its first loss of the season Monday night at Free State (53-49), the Chargers beat Leavenworth 74-47 on Tuesday before Friday's win that improved West to 7-1 on the season and a perfect 6-0 in the UKC.

Senior Gad Munganga paced Topeka West with 14 points, including four 3-pointers, while senior Keimani Paul added 12 points and junior Prince Lassiter 10 points. Seniors Jay'Veon Traylor and Malakyah Duncan added 9 points apiece for the Chargers.

West led 16-12 after one quarter and 33-24 at the half before the Bobcats cut their deficit to 40-37 at the start of the fourth quarter. The Chargers closed out the win by doubling up the hosts 16-8 in the fourth stanza.

The Chargers will be back at home Tuesday to host city and UKC rival Seaman.

Lucas Marichal, Cair Paravel

Lion boys improve to 6-2 with 50-45 Flint Hills League victory

Cair Paravel Latin's boys improved to 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the Flint Hills League Friday night with a 50-45 league road win over Mission Valley.

Cair Paravel, which has posted three straight wins, got 16 points from senior Lucas Marichal, 15 from senior Drew Fay and 9 points from sophomore Chase Hastert.

Mission Valley (3-6, 1-4) rallied from a 29-22 halftime deficit to take a 37-35 lead into the fourth quarter and the game was tied late before the Lions pulled out the win.

Keegan Hoelting led Mission Valley with 16 points.

Cair Paravel will host Osage City in a Flint Hills League game on Tuesday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

This past weekend is one that Shawnee Heights senior girls wrestling star Cianna Graves will never forget.

It started Friday night when Graves was selected as Heights' Queen of Courts, not exactly a common occurence for someone in her sport.

Shawnee Heights star senior wrestler Cianna Graves was named Queen of Courts Friday night. [Submitted photo]

And then on Saturday Graves went back to what she knows best, going 4-0 with four pins to win the 155-pound championship in the Shawnee Heights Invitatational while helping lead the T-Birds to the team title.

Graves, also a softball standout for the T-Birds, was nominated by the Shawnee Heights wrestling team as the program's Queen of Courts candidate and then was tapped as one of five finalists in an all-school vote before being named the queen between the Heights' girls and boys basketball games against Leavenworth.

"I was (surprised),'' Graves said. "There were a lot of good girls up this year, so it was an honor and a blessing to be able to be the queen.

"I wasn't even thinking about (winning). I was just happy that I was nominated and excited to do all the Winter Royalty things.''

Used to being in the limelight in both wrestling and softball, Graves said she wasn't rattled by Friday's festitivies.

"I really wasn't nervous, I was just there to have fun,'' Graves said.

But Graves admitted that putting on an evening dress was something new.

"It definitely was, but I think that's why I enjoyed it so much, getting to dress up and be in something a little bit more fun than maybe a singlet,'' she said.

Still dressed in her evening gown after being named Queen of Courts earlier in the night, Ciarra Graves helped set up the wrestling mats for Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational. [Submitted photo]

As soon as the boys basketball game was over Graves had to quickly go back into wrestling mode, joining her teammates to help set up the mats for Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational while still in her formal attire.

Shawnee Heights senior Cianna Graves went 4-0 with four pins to win the 155-pound title in the Shawnee Heights Invitational. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]

And when Saturday rolled around, Graves, third in Class 5A as a junior, put on another performance fit for a queen, going 4-0 with four pins to claim the 155-pound title and improve to 18-0 on the season.

 "I love it so much,'' said Graves, a three-time state placer. "The people, the adrenalin that you get, it's all amazing.''

And now Graves will turn her attention on trying to cap what has already been a memorable senior season with a state title.

"It's the goal,'' she said. "I'm hoping that my hard work that I put in over the summer and continue to put in through this season really pays off in the end.''

Graves was one of seven individual champions in Saturday's Shawnee Heights Invitational as the T-Birds captured the team title by a 262-164 margin over Wichita South.

In addition to Graves, Shawnee Heights got individual titles from freshman 110-pound sophomore Bianca Juarez (15-6 on the season), 115-pound freshman Brinnley Morris (12-2), 125-pound junior Audrey Hinkly (15-6), 135-pound sophomore Olive Jones (21-1), 145-pound senior Olivia Stevens (16-3) and 190-pound junior Brooklyn Binkley (12-6).

Morris went 5-0 with five pins between 16 seconds and 1 minute, 51 seconds while Jones went 3-0 with 27, 49 and 46-second pins.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

FRIDAY'S GAMES

HAYDEN (7-2, 1-0 Centennial) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 1-0 Centennial)

Both defending champion Hayden and perennial Class 6A contender Washburn Rural won their Centennial League openers on Tuesday. The Wildcats took a 53-37 home win over Emporia as sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein scored 14 points and sophomore Blakely Walter 10. The Junior Blues went on the road to beat Junction City, 68-32. Hayden is ranked No. 7 in Class 4A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association and Rural is No. 10 in 6A. Washburn Rural will be playing its third game of the week, dropping a 50-35 non-league decision to Olathe North on Monday. 

Ahsieyrhuajh Rayton, Topeka High

MANHATTAN (5-2, 0-0 Centennial) at TOPEKA HIGH (3-4, 0-0 Centennial)

Topeka High picked up its third straight win on Tuesday, taking a 65-41 non-league road win at Lawrence as junior Ahysieyrhuajh Rayton scored 29 points, senior Keimara Marshall 15 and senior Trish Short 13. High sophomore Hailey Caryl contributed 8 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists against the Lions. Manhattan is coming off its second loss of the season, dropping a 58-45 non-league decision to Hays.

ATCHISON (3-6, 3-0 Meadowlark) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-4, 1-1 Meadowlark)

Highland Park picked up a Meadowlark Conference forfeit win over Kansas City-Schlagle on Tuesday while Atchison edged KC-Wyandotte in a conference contest, 42-41. Highland Park played Wyandotte earlier in the season, with the Bulldogs taking a 68-52 victory over the Scots.

Pearmella Carter, Shawnee Heights

LEAVENWORTH (4-2, 1-2 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (5-3, 4-1 UKC)

Shawnee Heights stretched its winning streak to four games on Tuesday, with the T-Birds taking a 64-46 home United Kansas Conference win over De Soto. Junior Pearmella Carter led Heights with 19 points while juniors Sami Baum and Imani McGlory scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively. Leavenworth is coming off a 49-35 home UKC win over Topeka West. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

FRIDAY'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

HAYDEN (3-6, 0-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (6-2, 1-0)

Washburn Rural opened defense of its Centennial League championship Tuesday with a 50-45 road win over Junction City, imporoving to 6-2 on the season. Senior Kieffer O'Connor led the Junior Blues with 16 points while senior Simon Rowley added 11. Hayden will be looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 59-56 home Centennial League loss to Emporia. Senior Connor Hanika scored a game-high 22 points for the Wildcats while junior Carter Compton added 12 points.

Bryson McComas, Topeka High

MANHATTAN (6-1, 0-0) at TOPEKA HIGH (4-3, 0-0)

Topeka High climbed above the .500 level with a 66-65 nailbiter on the road Tuesday night at Lawrence. Friday's game will be the Centennial League opener for both Topeka High and Manhattan. The Indians are coming off a 62-59 overtime win over Hays, stretching its winning streak to six games.  

ATCHISON (8-0, 3-0) at HIGHLAND PARK (2-4, 2-0)

Atchison and Highland Park will square off in a game that could go a long ways to deciding the Meadowlark Conference championship. The Scots improved to 2-0 in league play with a 60-32 home win over Kansas City-Schlagle Tuesday night as junior JoJo Kingcannon scored 21 points, going 8 of 11 from the floor with three 3-pointers. Atchison is coming off an 87-32 Meadowlark win over KC-Wyandotte.

LEAVENWORTH (2-4, 1-3) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-4, 2-3)

Shawnee Heights will be looking to bounce back from a tough 51-50 United Kansas Conference home loss to De Soto Tuesday night. Junior Cam Ross led the T-Birds with 12 points. Leavenworth is coming off a 74-47 UKC home loss to Topeka West on Tuesday.

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

HOLTON (1-7, 1-5) at SILVER LAKE (6-2, 4-0)

Silver Lake posted a 73-61 Big East League victory at St. Marys on Tuesday while Holton picked up its first win of the season, a 57-53 league decision over Riley County. Holton is coached by former Topeka West assistant coach Marco Hunter. Silver Lake is ranked No. 6 in Class 3A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TUESDAY'S GAMES

EMPORIA (4-4, 0-0) at HAYDEN (6-2, 0-0)

The Spartans and Wildcats will open Centennial League play on Tuesday, with Hayden opening defense of the league title it captured last season. The Wildcats dropped a 38-36 non-league decision at Shawnee Heights last Friday, Hayden's second straight loss after six straight wins to start the season. Sophomore Hailey Schmidtlein led Hayden with 16 points against the T-Birds while senior Lauren Borjon added 11 points. Emporia is coming off a 32-25 win over Circle.

KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights 

DE SOTO (2-3, 1-1) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-3, 3-1)

Shawnee Heights climbed above .500 with a 38-36 non-league win over Hayden last Friday at home. T-Bird junior KK Emmot scored 9 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, including the game-winning free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining. Shawnee Heights has now won three straight games after starting the season 1-3. De Soto dropped a 45-34 United Kansas Conference decision to Seaman to close out its pre-holiday slate. 

WABAUNSEE (5-1, 2-1) at CAIR PARAVEL (3-3, 0-2)

Cair Paravel Latin ended its 2025 slate with a tight 40-37 Flint Hills League decision to Chase County while Wabaunsee is also coming off a loss, dropping a 68-37 league game to Osage City. London Backman leads CPLS with a 9.8 scoring average while Karsyn Hastert pulls down 5.7 rebounds per game.

Addaline Hall, Topeka West

TOPEKA WEST (1-5, 0-4) at LEAVENWORTH (3-2, 1-2)

Topeka West will be looking for its first United Kansas Conference victory Tuesday night at Leavenworth. Senior Addaline Hall leads the Chargers with a 10.8 scoring average while junior Sydney VanDyke averages 8.8 points and leads the city of Topeka in rebounding with 14.0 per game and in blocked shots with a 3.8 average. 

Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural

WASHBURN RURAL (4-2, 0-0) at JUNCTION CITY (1-4, 0-0)

Washburn Rural will be playing its second game of 2026 in as many nights, opening Centennial League play against the Blue Jays after dropping a 50-35 non-league decision to Olathe North Monday night. Junior Blue freshman Brynn Anderson scored 14 first-half points with three 3-pointers against Olathe North, but sat out the second half after an injury late in the first half. Senior Hallie Walker had 9 points and 5 rebounds for Rural.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

TUESDAY'S GAMES

Connor Hanika, Hayden

EMPORIA (8-0, 0-0) at HAYDEN (3-5, 0-0)

Hayden is coming off a 79-60 non-league loss at Shawnee Heights on Friday while Emporia remained undefeated with a 73-38 non-league romp past Circle. Both the Wildcats and Spartans will be opening Centennial League play Tuesday. Senior Connor Hanika led Hayden with 20 points against Shawnee Heights while junior Mason Becker added 17 points.

Cam Ross, Shawnee Heights

DE SOTO (2-3, 0-2) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (3-3, 2-2)

Shawnee Heights evened its record at 3-3 with a 79-60 home win over Hayden last Friday while De Soto closed out 2025 with a 56-40 loss to Seaman on Dec. 19. Junior Cam Ross led Shawnee Heights with 28 points and four 3-pointers against Hayden while senior Ja'Veon Alston added 19 points with a pair of 3-pointers. 

WABAUNSEE (5-1, 3-0) at CAIR PARAVEL (4-2, 2-0)

Cair Paravel Latin is off to a solid start, including a 60-39 Flint Hills League win over Chase County on Dec. 19, and faces a tough test Tuesday against a Wabaunsee team that is also unbeaten in league play after a 63-56 win over Osage City to close out 2025. Sophomore Chase Hastert leads Cair Paravel with a 16.3 scoring average and also pulls down 7.5 rebounds a game.

Keimani Paul, Topeka West 

TOPEKA WEST (5-1, 4-0) at LEAVENWORTH (2-3, 1-2)

Topeka West will be looking to bounce back Tuesday after the No. 2-ranked (Class 5A) Chargers dropped a 53-49 non-league game at 6A Free State Monday night. Senior Keimani Paul led West with 19 points and four 3-pointers against the Firebirds while senior Malakyah Duncan added 12 points. Leavenworth dropped a 66-36 United Kansas Conference decision to Basehor-Linwood last Friday.

WASHBURN RURAL (5-2, 0-0) at JUNCTION CITY (4-2, 0-0)

Washburn Rural stretched its winning streak to four games with a 68-53 non-league win at Olathe West on Saturday while Junction City has won three straight games after a 56-53 win over Shawnee Mission North last time out. Sophomore Brooks Ballard scored 21 points with six 3-pointers in the Junior Blues' win over Olathe West. Tuesday's game is the Centennial League opener for both Rural and Junction City.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Shawnee County high schools captured three boys state team titles in 2025 while county athletes combined to earn six individual/relay championships.

Washburn Rural soccer is No. 1 on TopSports.news' list of the Top 10 boys high school sports stories of 2025 after winning its fourth Class 6A state title and first since 2012 while Rural cross country and Hayden bowling also won team championships.

Individually, Washburn Rural's Easton Broxterman is No. 2 on the Top 10 after capping his outstanding high school wrestling career with his third straight Class 6A state championship in 2025 in his fourth straight trip to the state finals.

Other highlights included current Junior Blue seniors Draden Chooncharoen and Liam Morrison celebrating state titles in soccer and track while Broxterman's Junior Blue wrestling teammates, current senior Landen Kocher-Munoz and 2025 grad Kristjan Marshall, both claimed their second individual state titles.

Rural 2025 grad Isaiah Terry and Morrison both captured 6A individual titles and teamed with Chooncharoen and '25 grad Matthew Houser to set a state meet record in the 4x400-meter relay, Rural's second straight state crown in that event. 

Here's a look at TopSports.news' Top 10 Shawnee County boys prep stories of 2025:

Washburn Rural soccer celebrates its first Class 6A state championship since 2012 after its 3-2 win over Shawnee Mission East in PKs. [Photo by Rick Peterson Jr./KSHSAA Covered]

1. RURAL RULES -- Led by an outstanding senior class, perennial state soccer power Washburn Rural capped a 19-1-1 2025 season with its first Class 6A state championship since 2012, taking a 3-2 win over Shawnee Mission East with a 4-2 edge in penalty kicks. Senior Dylan Willingham ended his high school career with Washburn Rural's single-season and career scoring records.

Washburn Rural wrestling star Easton Broxterman capped his high school career in 2025 with his third straight Class 6A state title and fourth trip to the state finals. [File photo/TSN]

2. MAT MASTER -- Washburn Rural superstar wrestler Easton Broxterman put the capper on one of the top high school careers in Shawnee County history with his third straight Class 6A state championship in his fourth straight trip to the state finals, helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish in the 6A state tournament in Overland Park. Broxterman, who is wrestling collegiately at Army, finished off a 41-2 senior season with the 145-pound state title.

Washburn Rural cross country celebrates its 2025 Class 6A state championship after winning by a single point over Blue Valley. [Photo courtesy of Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

3. STRENGTH IN THE PACK -- Washburn Rural cross country didn't have an individual medalist (top 20) in the 2025 Class 6A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, but the Junior Blues put four runners in the top 28 places to lead the way as Rural captured the team championship by a single point (100-101) over Blue Valley. Rural got a team-high 22nd-place finish from sophomore Henry Laubach while senior Brooks Kehoe was 25th, sophomore Clayton Fink 26th, sophomore Duke Graf 28th, sophomore Jaxson Adams 42nd, senior Wyatt Shorb 52nd and sophomore Brady Meek 84th. 

Hayden won its first ever state bowling championship in the 2025 season, winning the Class 4A-1A state crown by a 3,666-3,571 margin over Mulvane. [File photo/TSN]

4. STRIKING GOLD -- Hayden garnered the first state bowling championship in school history, winning the Class 4A-1A state event by a 3,666-3,571 margin over Mulvane as four Wildcats earned individual state medals. Trevor Christy rolled a 698 series to finish third individually while John Strickland finished fifth with a 685, Chase Blaser was seventh with a 676 and Reese Renyer placed 16th with a 636.

Washburn Rural 2025 grad Kristjan Marshall won back-to-back Class 6A state wrestling titles in '24 and '25.'[File photo/TSN] 

 Washburn Rural senior Landen Kocher-Munoz won his second career Class 6A state wrestling title in '25 with his third trip to the state finals. [File photo/TSN]

5. REPEAT FEAT -- Washburn Rural wrestling stars Kristjan Marshall and Landen Kocher-Munoz captured the second Class 6A state titles of their careers in the 2025 state tournament as the Junior Blues finished third as a team. Marshall, a 2025 graduate, won his second straight championship, winning the 157-pound crown to finish off a 37-5 season while then-junior Kocher-Munoz won his second career championship in his third straight state final, winning at 138 pounds to finish 34-3 on the season.

Washburn Rural's Matthew Houser, Liam Morrison, Draden Chooncharoen and Isaiah Terry set the Class 6A state meet record in the 4x400 relay in the 2025 state meet. [File photo/TSN]

6. REPEAT FEAT PART II -- Washburn Rural won the Class 6A state title in the 4x400-meter relay for the second straight season in the final event of the state meet at Wichita State's Cessna Stadium as 2025 grads Matthew Houser and Isaiah Terry and then-juniors Liam Morrison and Draden Chooncharoen set a 6A state meet record in a winning time of 3 minutes, 16.23 seconds. Morrison, Chooncharoen and Terry ran on Rural's state-champion relay in both '24 and '25 while Houser won his first state title.

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

The Silver Lake girls looked so good in the first half, the fact Rossville made the second half tense is a credit to both teams. Silver Lake ultimately won 69-53, but the War on 24 revealed the talent on both sides of the rivalry.

Silver Lake sophomore Karys Deiter (23) puts up a shot over Rossville's Nora Burdiek (22) and Shailee Hubbell (21) in Tuesday's 69-53 Silver Lake win over Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Eagles dominated the second period, reeling off 18 straight points before Rossville finally scored with 2:06 before halftime. Prior to the drought-ending basket, Silver Lake led 33-9 and appeared headed for a blowout win. Seven Eagles got in the scoring column in the first half, which the home team led 41-15.

But it was Rossville’s turn after halftime to light up the scoreboard. Behind eight third-quarter points from Rylee Dick and Nora Burdiek, the Bulldawgs outscored the Eagles 20-9 to get back into the game.

“We came out pretty slow and they came out good, and it was hard for us to wake back up and find our groove again,” said Silver Lake senior Kailyn Hanni. “But props to Rylee and Nora. They played really well that second half.”

Rossville pulled to within 10 points with 4:40 remaining in the game but could draw no closer. Burdiek and Dick finished with 23 and 20 points, respectively, but they couldn’t match the balanced scoring of Silver Lake.

Silver Lake senior Kailyn Hanni scored 12 points in Tuesday's Silver Lake 69-53 win over Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Silver Lake sharpshooters Karys Dieter and Savanah Wende dropped in 18 and 17 points, respectively, with Hanni adding 12.

“Rossville is a team that we knew we were going to get their best shot,” said Silver Lake coach Kyle Porter. “We talked at halftime that it’s a 0-0 ballgame in the third quarter, and (Rossville) played with a lot of confidence and punched us in the mouth that third quarter.

“Now, with that said, I am proud of how we responded. Fortunately, we made a lot of shots that second half that helped us extend the lead. But they forced us to get better that second half.”

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

A barnburner befitting the War on 24 went the way of host Silver Lake Tuesday 71-68, with Dayne Johnson – a fixture in the rivalry – bouncing back from a miserable first half to lead all scorers with 21 points.

Senior Dayne Johnson (2) led Silver Lake with 21 points in Tuesday's 71-68 win over Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Johnson hit just one of seven attempts in the first half and was visibly frustrated by his inability to get untracked. His teammates picked up the slack, giving the Eagles a 19-12 lead after one period.

Junior Camden Kruger (0) gave Silver Lake scored 18 points in Tuesday's 71-68 War on 25 win over Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

“Dayne’s a great player, but I feel like we have so many players who can make plays, many players who can do the right play at the right time,” said junior Camden Kruger, who chipped in 10 points in the first half to lead Silver Lake. “I think that a big thing that we focus on in our program is adversity. We had to know that we were going to respond as a team and how we’re going to do it together.”

With Johnson struggling, Rossville roared back to close the half trailing just 33-31. Seniors Cameron Miller and Jack Donovan tossed in 11 points apiece in the first half.

Silver Lake came out on fire after the half with Johnson leading the way. The senior attacked the rim onnearly every possession, and scored 12 of the Eagles’ 24 points to build a 57-50 lead.

But Rossville just wouldn’t back down. With their backs to the wall, Rossville hit three three-pointers in the final couple of minutes of the game to cut the lead to 71-68 before time ran out.

“No surprise,” Silver Lake coach Shannon Kruger said of Rossville. “They’re really good. They’ve got really good players, they’re well coached and they’ve got the combination of skill with just super competitive.”

The Eagles got 21 points – 18 in the second half – from Johnson and 18 from Camden Kruger. Hunter Rooks and Joel Miller added 10 apiece. Silver Lake hit an efficient 24-45 from the field and 15-21 from the line.

“I thought a lot of guys played well,” Shannon Kruger said. “A lot of these guys contributed last year with, you know, a couple of minutes here or there. We have to have these guys who were JV guys last year, quote-unquote, step up. And man, a lot of them did tonight.”

“I’ll be honest, it was probably the worst half of my life,” Johnson said. “I was a little down on myself, but my teammates made plays, kept us in it, and then second half I got back in my rhythm and made some plays.

“This rivalry, I think it’s the best in Kansas. Both communities show out every game. The stands were packed, the fans were loud, and it was just a great game.”

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Rossville head football coach Derick Hammes has been named an East assistant coach for the the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl, which will be played in Emporia.

Rossville football coach Derick Hammes has been selected to coach in his fourth Kansas Shrine Bowl in 2026. [File photo/TSN]

Hammes, who led Rossville to an 11-2 record and a runnerup finish in Class 1A this past season, will be coaching in his fourth Shrine Bowl, serving as the East head coach in 2017 and as an assistant in 2016 and 2022.

Hammes, who has a career coaching record of 154-85, also played in the game in 1989.

“I'm excited to get to coach the "best of the best" as I have another opportunity to be involved in the Kansas Shrine Bowl,'' Hammes said in a Shrine Bowl release. "Most importantly, I'm honored to get the chance to help the Shrine Bowl achieve its mission of helping children in need.” 

The East team will be led by Mike Berg (Wellsville), who was announced earlier this summer as the 2026 head coach.

In addition to Hammes, other East assistants include Kurt Webster (Shawnee Mission Northwest), Rod Stallbaumer (Basehor-Linwood), Bradley Argabright (Labette County), Greg Slade (Santa Fe Trail) and Andrew Gantenbein (Osage City).

The West team will be led by head coach Daniel Myears (Mulvane) and his staff will include Randall Zimmerman (Junction City), Erin Beck (Great Bend), Dawson Elliott (Augusta), Brent Hoelting (Pratt), Todd Rice (Garden Plain) and Brent Schneider (Sterling).

“We’re always grateful for the sacrifice these coaches make by taking time away from their own programs and their families to be a part of the Kansas Shrine Bowl experience,” said Brice Kesler, executive director of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. “We certainly couldn’t have the quality of football game that we get without this outstanding coaching talent, but these men also provide tremendous leadership to the players and serve as great ambassadors for the mission of the Kansas Shrine Bowl.”

The 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University at 7 p.m. on June 27.

The initial rosters for the game will be announced during the annual Kansas Shrine Bowl Player Selection Show, which is set to air at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11th, 2026. 

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hayden, which advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the third straight season, and 1A finalist Rossville combined for nine of Top 22 spots on TopSports.news' 2025 All-Shawnee County football team while the Wildcats and Bulldawgs swept offensive and defensive player of the year honors.

Kade Mitchell, Hayden

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

Jude Krentz, Hayden

Hayden senior all-purpose standout Kade Mitchell and Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell were named the co-offensive players of the year for 2025 while Hayden senior Jude Krentz was named the defensive player of the year.

Kade Mitchell carried the ball 106 times for 1,003 yards, caught 23 passes for 471 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns while Canann Mitchell rushed for 1,162 yards and 21 touchdowns on 167 carries and completed 123 of 184 passes for 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Krentz led the Hayden defense with 120 tackles (61 solo) while recording six tackles for loss and picking off two passes.

Hayden's Bill Arnold and Rossville's Derick Hammes were named the co-coaches of the year while Rossville junior lineman Charlie Chance was tapped as the defensive newcomer of the year and Silver Lake freshman quarterback Kipton Kruger was named the offensive newcomer of the year.

Chance was in on 54 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and three sacks while Kruger completed 178 of 252 passes for 2,158 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Kade Mitchell and Krentz are Top 22 repeat selections, along with Seaman senior Cameron Brian, Rossville senior Conner Bush, Silver Lake senior Dayne Johnson and Shawnee Heights senior Aiden Scott.  

Hayden, which posted a 12-1 record this fall, is also represented on the Top 22 by seniors Xander Blasing, Connor Hanika and Julian McGivern and junior Mason Becker while Rossville senior Andre Johnson joins Bush and Canann Mitchell on the Top 22 after the Bulldawgs posted an 11-2 record, with both losses coming against state champions.

Washburn Rural, which posted a 6-4 record, is represented on the Top 22 by seniors Jayden Cooper, Brody Haas and John Hoytal and junior Jadyn Baum.

Senior Noah Kobuszewski joins Brian on the first team for Seaman while senior Jayden Waterer joins Dayne Johnson on the Top 22 for Silver Lake and senior AJ Gallegos joins Scott on the first team for Shawnee Heights.

Meadowlark Conference champion Highland Park put senior Tremaine Savage and junior G'Honi Montgomery on the Top 22 while Topeka High is represented by multi-time All-Centennial League selection Malachi Murph

All 10 Shawnee County high schools have representatives on either the Top 22, Second 22 or honorable mention list. Five county teams posted six or more wins this fall and four teams posted at least one win in the playoffs. 

TopSports.news selected the 2025 All-Shawnee County team after receiving input from county head coaches.

All-Shawnee County Top 22 capsules:

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Silver Lake sophomore Kendrick VandeVelde, senior Dayne Johnson and junior Owen Rottinghaus and Rossville senior Conner Bush received All-Big East League first-team football recognition for the 2025 season.

Conner Bush, Rossville

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

VandeVelde was named to the first-team offensive line, while Johnson was a first-team pick at wide receiver and Rottinghaus the all-league returner after helping lead Silver Lake to a 7-3 record.

Bush was named to the All-Big East first-team defense at defensive back after helping the 11-2 Bulldawgs advance to the Class 1A state championship game.

Silver Lake's Johnson (defensive back) and senior Jayden Waterer (linebacker) were named to the all-league second team as were Rossville junior Charlie Chance (offensive lineman), senior Jack Donovan (defensive back) and senior Andre Johnson (linebacker).

Rossville and Silver Lake combined for 12 honorable mention picks.   

2025 ALL-BIG EAST LEAGUE FOOTBALL

First team offense

Line -- Caleb McCrory, sr., Holton; Hendryx Wahl, sr., Nemaha Central; Holden Edelman, jr., Sabetha; Camden Wittwer, jr., Sabetha; Kendrick VandeVelde, so., Silver Lake.

Quarterback -- Carter Hajek, sr., Nemaha Central.

Running back -- Will Voos, sr., Sabetha; Korleone Holz, sr., St. Marys. 

Tight end -- Reid Mitchell, sr., Sabetha.

Wide receiver -- Brody Schwinn, jr., Jefferson West; Dayne Johnson, sr., Silver Lake.

First team defense

Line -- Osiris Unruh, sr., Jefferson West; Danny Childress, jr., Nemaha Central; Kyler Ganstrom, sr., Nemaha Central; Holden Edelman, jr., Sabetha; Roger Browning, sr., St. Marys.

Linebacker -- Cael Frazier, sr., Holton; Jack Macke, sr., Nemaha Central; Amos Brakenhoff, sr., Perry-Lecompton.

Defensive back -- Caleb Strathman, sr., Nemaha Central; Conner Bush, sr., Rossville; Griffin Cumpton, sr., Royal Valley;  Curtis Fitzgerald, jr., Sabetha.

All-purpose -- Cole Menold, sr., Sabetha.

Kicker -- Jayton Meyer, jr., Sabetha.

Punter -- Jayton Meyer, jr., Sabetha. 

Returner -- Owen Rottinghaus, jr., Silver Lake.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural

Baum, a junior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition at 190 pounds last season after posting a 28-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament for Washburn Rural, which finished third as a team. Baum is ranked No. 4 at 190 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is top-ranked in 6A at 215. 

BRENNEN BOWERS, Seaman

A senior 157-pounder, Bowers is currently ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings. Bowers was a 5A state qualifier last season and earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the Vikings.

BRODY BROWN, Shawnee Heights

Brown, a junior, is a two-time Class 5A state qualifier and earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season at 138 pounds. Brown is expected to wrestle at 150 pounds this winter and is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

KAYDEN CLELLAND, Silver Lake

A junior 165-pounder, Clelland was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after winning a Class 4A regional championship to qualify for state with a 32-11 record through regional competition.  

RYDER FOSTER, Rossville

Foster, a sophomore 106-pounder, is currently ranked No. 5 in Class 3A-1A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason rankings. Foster was a state qualifier as a freshman, posting a fourth-place regional finish.

JOSE GOMEZ, Topeka High

Gomez, a junior, posted a 24-13 record last season at 106 pounds and earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition. Gomez is currently ranked No. 4 in the Class 6A preseason rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

RYDER HARRISON, Washburn Rural

Harrison, a senior 120-pounder, was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season, posting a 27-15 record for the Junior Blues and finishing sixth in Class 6A. Harrison is ranked No. 4 at 120 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings.

EVAN JOHNSON, Shawnee Heights

Johnson, a senior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season and is a three-time Class 5A state qualifier for the T-Birds. Johnson is expected to wrestle at 165 pounds this season and is currently ranked No. 5 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

Brodye Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

BRODYE KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

A junior 150-pounder, Kocher-Munoz was a first-team All-Shawnee County selection last season for Washburn Rural, posting a 16-7 record on the season and finishing fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues. Munoz is ranked third at 150 pounds in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 6A preseason rankings and 10th in the All-Class rankings.

Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

LANDEN KOCHER-MUNOZ, Washburn Rural

Kocher-Munoz, a senior 138-pounder, captured his second Class 6A state championship last season in his third straight trip to the state finals. Kocher-Munoz posted a 30-3 record, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for a third straight season. Kocher-Munoz is top-ranked in 6A and No. 3 in the All-Class rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

 Jude Krentz, Hayden

JUDE KRENTZ, Hayden

A senior, Krentz earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season at 175 pounds last season after earning his third straight trip to the Class 4A state tournament. Krentz posted a 42-2 record en route to a fourth-place state finish and is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and No. 2 in 4A.

KAIDEN MARSHALL, Washburn Rural

A sophomore 215-pounder, Marshall was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season while also earning all-county first-team recognition. Marshall, who posted a 17-11 record and finished fourth in Class 6A for the third-place Junior Blues, is expected to move up to 285 pounds this season and is ranked No. 4 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings.

Caleb Menke, Hayden

CALEB MENKE, Hayden

Menke, a junior 157-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after qualifying for the Class 4A state meet with a second-place regional finish. Menke is ranked sixth in 4A in the second of two Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason rankings and is 10th-ranked in the All-Class rankings.

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Rossville’s pursuit of a Class 1A state football title came up just short in a dramatic battle, with Sterling defeating the Bulldawgs 35-34 at Hutchinson Community College Friday.

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell ran for three touchdowns and threw for a TD in Friday's 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

The Bulldawgs battled back when they were on the verge of getting blown out in the second period. Trailing 21-6 and unable to stop the Sterling rushing attack, Rossville turned the game around in the final two minutes of the first half. An 11-play drive ended with a touchdown pass from Canann Mitchell to Connor Bush to cut the deficit to 21-14.

The Bulldawgs took the second half kickoff and marched down the field to tie the game. Seizing the momentum,  Rossville’s defense throttled Sterling’s rushing attack – which had accounted for 235 yards in the first half – forcing Sterling’s lone punt of the game.

Just as the second half ended with a Rossville touchdown, the third period ended with Mitchell running in from 2 yards out to give the Bulldawgs their first lead of the day, 28-21.

“We got together at halftime and went over some things that we needed to do better,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “We didn’t change anything. We just did better at what we originally planned to do. We put a hat on them and we blocked them. We didn’t turn the football over and we had some rhythm offensively. It gave us a chance to win.”

Sterling senior Zane Farney rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns in Friday's 35-34 win over Rossville in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Suddenly in danger, Sterling put the ball in the hands of Zane Farney, who had accounted for more than 2,000 rushing on the season. A couple of long carries by the senior quickly tied the game. By the time the day was over. Farney had rushed for 279 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.

Rossville responded to Sterling’s quick strike with a methodical drive. The Bulldawgs chewed up half of the fourth period on a march that ended with Mitchell’s third touchdown run of the game.

The Bulldawgs led 34-28 and had a decision to make. As Mitchell crossed the goal line, his facemask was grabbed by a Sterling defender. With the option to attempt a two-point conversion from inside the 2-yard line, Rossville decided to kick the point-after and assess the penalty yards to the kickoff. But Sterling’s Jacob Lewis leaped high to block the kick, freezing Rossville’s lead at six with 6:36 left.

Having been gashed for much of the day by the Sterling rushing attack, Rossville limited the Black Bears to short runs. But Sterling converted three fourth-down attempts to keep the drive going.

Having advanced to the Rossville 24-yard line with just one minute remaining, Sterling shocked the Bulldawgs by sending its quarterback back to pass for just the second time of the game. Logan Isaac floated a pass over the middle which Lewis – the man who blocked the Rossville PAT – leaped to corral at the goal line. It was just Sterling’s 10th pass completion of the season.

“I think every time I call a pass play, my kids look at me a little bit funny, and they’re like, ‘Are you sure?’ ” Sterling coach Brent Schneider said. “But we practice throwing the ball. We have confidence in our guys, and we’ve got playmakers.”

“We talked about (Sterling attempting a pass), but it was executed really well, and it was thrown into a crowd, so their kid made a play,” Hammes said. “That’s what you’ve got to do to win championships, make a play down the stretch.”

Sterling’s kicker punched the ball through the uprights to give the Black Bears a 35-34 lead.

Rossville had 52 seconds to respond, but only reached the Sterling 29 before a sack, a penalty and a short pass ended the Bulldawgs’ season.

“It was a good football game,” Hammes said. “Congratulations to Sterling. They made a play or two down the stretch that was the difference maker. I felt like our kids made some plays throughout the game as well, but it didn’t work out for us today.”

“We said at halftime it was going to be a dogfight,” Schneider said. “(Rossville) made some great adjustments. They put some stuff together They’re a great program with a great coaching staff. I talked to them before the game and I said, ‘I look up to you guys.’ They’ve got great tradition and we’re starting some tradition.”

Mitchell ran for 149 yards and threw for 193 to lead Rossville. The Bulldawgs finished the season 11-2, the only other loss coming to Nemaha Central, which goes for a 2A title on Saturday.

Rossville senior Andre Johnson reacts during Friday's 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

“These kids have battled. Especially these seniors in their career here. They gave us a chance to win,” Hammes said. “Gutty, classy. We did things the right way and they cared about each other. It’s just a special group, and I’ll remember them just like a champion.”

STERLING 35, ROSSVILLE 34

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

For the third year in a row, the Hayden Wildcats came up short in the state championship game at Hutchinson. And for the second consecutive year, the Wildcats hung close with Andale, only to see the game turn into a double-digit defeat late.

Kade Mitchell (25) scored Hayden's lone touchdown on a pass from Connor Hanika (3) in the Wildcats' 38-6 loss to Andale Friday in Hutchinson. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Hayden fell to the Indians by a score of 38-6 in Friday's Class 3A championship game Hutchinson Community College's Gowans Stadium, a rematch of the Wildcats' 36-19 loss to Andale a year ago.

The game got away from the Wildcats late, but the final score is misleading.

“Until the very end, we felt like we had a shot,” Hayden coach Bill Arnold said. “I felt like we would do really well defensively, and then we would give up a big play. We had opportunities early on. We didn’t capitalize on them.”

Hayden stopped Andale’s long opening drive at the 4-yard line. The Wildcats then ran off 16 plays, burning up the rest of the first period, flipping the field, but failing to produce points. Hayden was forced to punt, pinning the Indians at the 9-yard line. A couple of big plays brought Andale to the doorstep, where Indian quarterback Samuel Harp plunged in from the 1-yard line.

The Indians scored again just before the half and led 16-0 at the intermission.

The Wildcats temporarily took the momentum following the break, marching 69 yards on 11 plays and finishing the drive with a 7-yard scoring pass from Connor Hanika to Kade Mitchell.

Despite a failed attempt for two points, the scoring drive breathed life into the Wildcats. Three plays into the ensuing Andale drive, Hayden defensive back Mason Becker intercepted an Andale pass, giving the Wildcats the ball at midfield trailing by just 10 points.

But after moving to the Andale 35, Hayden mishandled a reverse, turning the ball over and squandering the momentum.

“We got a nice interception there and then we just turned the ball right back over,” Arnold said. “It’s uncharacteristic of our kids because we didn’t fumble the ball this year. I think (we had) maybe two fumbles the entire year.”

Hayden seniors Andrew Rohr (52), Jackson McGivern (36) and Xander Blasing (6) react at the end of Friday's 38-6 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state title game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

From that point on, it was all Andale. The Indians hammered out three quick touchdowns, turning a 16-6 struggle into a 38-6 rout as Andale won its sixth state crown over the past seven seasons.

Miscues foiled the Wildcats’ chances. Hayden turned the ball over twice on interceptions in addition to the lost fumble. The Wildcats generated just 245 total yards and were penalized for 55 yards.

“We played too inconsistent,” Arnold said. “We had some really good sets and some really good plays, and then we come back and fumble the ball here, or we’re slow getting in and out of the huddle, getting the calls. I don’t know exactly what happened there. But at the same time, you’ve got to tip your cap (to Andale). They’ve got a good program.”

Hayden junior Mason Becker (4) tackles Andale quarterback Samuel Harp in Friday's Class 3A state championship game at Hutchinson. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

The Indians capped their second straight undefeated season with a win over Hayden. And for the second year in a row, the Andale attack featured quarterback Harp. The senior raced for 144 yards on 17 carries and added three touchdowns to his total of 30 going into Friday. Andale outrushed Hayden 330 yards to 104.

Hayden senior Xander Blasing caught six passes for 67 yards in Friday's 38-6 loss to Andale in the Class 3A state championship game. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Hanika threw for 133 yards to lead senior-laden Hayden. Mitchell returned from a recent injury to provide 60 yards from scrimmage and several long kickoff returns. Xander Blasing caught six passes for 67 yards.

“We’ve got a great group of seniors and it’s sad that we weren’t able to finish off the right way for them tonight,” Arnold said. “This group of seniors, they work hard. They showed good leadership all year long, and we just came up short for them tonight.”

ANDALE 38, HAYDEN 6

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Topeka High graduate Robbie Sanders, a longtime assistant at Topeka High and Shawnee Heights, recorded his first victory as a head coach Thursday as his alma mater ran away from guest Wamego, 82-54.

Former Topeka High star Robbie Sanders notched his first win as a head coach Thursday night, with the Trojans rolling to an 82-54 win over Wamego. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The Trojans demonstrated some firepower they didn’t have a year ago when they won just one game against 19 losses. Thursday, Topeka High exploded out of the gate for 26 first-quarter points, then put up another 26 in the second period to lead 52-29 at the half.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment. I’m just so happy and proud to lead these guys in this program,” Sanders said. “I was emotional. I feel like I put a lot of work in over the years, and I’ve prepared for this moment. But my emotions… I struggled. I saw my dad. I saw my mom up there, and I almost lost it. I had to go back in the office and sit down for a little while.

“But I knew the guys were ready. I knew we would play pretty well, but they surprised the heck out of me by how hard they competed tonight.”

In the locker room, Sanders was presented the game ball by Topeka High administrators in recognition of his first victory. And he had some familiar faces – the Shawnee Heights team – in the stands behind him. Sanders even paused at halftime to shake the hands of the T-Birds in attendance and thank them for being there.

“That’s my family. I love those guys at Shawnee Heights, coach (Ken) Darting and all the players, and I was really happy to see them,” Sanders said. “It feels a little weird not coaching them anymore. But I love the guys that I got right now.”

Senior Bryson McComas scored a game-high 24 points Thursday as Topeka High opened its season with an 82-54 win over Wamego. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Sanders started five seniors who combined for 69 of the Trojans’ 82 points. Bryson McComas led the team with 24 points, with Elisha Guest and Jalen Aldridge tossing in 16 and 15, respectively.

“These seniors believed. They never gave up,” Sanders said. “Any of them could have tried to quit, transfer, go somewhere else and see greener pastures. They believed in each other. They believed in me.”

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

CLASS 1A

STERLING (12-0) vs. ROSSVILLE (11-1)

1 p.m. Friday at Hutchinson Community College

Rossville, the No. 4 Class 1A East seed, earned a shot at its sixth state championship with a come-from-behind 21-18 semifinal win at No. 2 East seed Jackson Heights last Friday while No. 1 West seed Sterling remained undefeated with a 14-6 win over previously-unbeaten Smith Center.

The Bulldawgs have won nine straight games, with Rossville's lone loss a 56-28 Week 3 loss to Nemaha Central, which is in the 2A state championship game for the second straight season. Sterling's closest game of the season was a 44-42 state quarterfinal win over Hutchinson Trinity.

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 109 of 164 passes for 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns with just one interception and has rushed for 1,013 yards and 18 TDs on 139 attempts.

Cameron Miller, Rossville

Jack Donovan, Rossville

Senior Cameron Miller has 32 catches for 523 yards and eight TDs while senior Jack Donovan has 38 grabs for 543 yards and three touchdowns.

Conner Bush, Rossville

Senior Conner Bush has rushed for 685 yards and 10 TDs on 69 carries.

Andre Johnson, Rossville 

Senior Andre Johnson leads the Bulldawgs with 119 tackles (64 solo) while Bush has 99 stops (34 solo). Junior Charlie Chance has registered 49 stops (39 solo), including 14.5 tackles for loss.

Sterling senior running back Zane Farney has carried the ball 188 times for 2,047 yards and 39 touchdowns while senior Wyatt Newberry has rushed for 1,034 yards and 14 TDs and has 98 tackles (62 solo) with four interceptions.

Sophomore Jacob Lewis leads Sterling with 156 tackles (95 solo), including 15 tackles for loss.

Sterling senior quarterback Logan Isaac has thrown for 209 yards and rushed for 403 yards and 10 TDs on 56 attempts.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

BROOKLYN BINKLEY, Shawnee Heights

A junior, Binkley was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick last season after placing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Binkley is currently ranked No. 4 in 5A at 170 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.

Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural

EMME BLANCO, Washburn Rural

Blanco, a senior, earned first-team All-Shawnee County honors last season after posting a 35-10 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 140 pounds. Blanco is ranked No. 6 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 145 and is ranked third in 6A.

MADI BLANCO, Washburn Rural

A senior, Blanco earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition for the second straight season after posting a 30-8 record and finishing fourth in the Class 6A state tournament at 135 pounds. Blanco is ranked eighth in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings at 140 pounds and is ranked No. 3 in 6A. 

CONNIE BURNS, Highland Park

Burns, a senior, posted a 22-7 record and was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season at 115 pounds after finishing sixth in the Class 5A state tournament in her first season at Highland Park. Burns in ranked No. 5 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association 5A preseason rankings at 115.

Makayla Cadet, Highland Park

MAKAYLA CADET, Highland Park

Cadet, a senior, captured the Class 5A state championship at 190 pounds last season, capping a 23-4 season for the Scots with the school's first girls state championship. Cadet was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year for the 2024-2025 season and is ranked No. 2 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class preseason rankings and is also ranked second in 5A.

Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights

CIANNA GRAVES, Shawnee Heights

A senior 155-pounder, Graves is a three-time Class 5A state placer, including a third-place finish last season as Shawnee Heights earned the third-place team trophy in 5A. Graves, who went 39-3 on the season, was an All-Shawnee County first-season repeater. Graves is currently ranked No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association All-Class rankings and is No. 3 in 5A.

AVA GUTIERREZ, Shawnee Heights

Gutierrez, a sophomore 100-pounder, earned All-Shawnee County first-team recognition last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament for Shawnee Heights, which posted a third-place team finish in 5A. Gutierrez posted a 19-13 record as a freshman.

AUDREY HINKLY, Shawnee Heights

Hinkly, a junior 120-pounder, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season after placing fourth in the Class 5A state tournament and helping Shawnee Heights earn the third-place team trophy in 5A. Hinkly is currently ranked No. 3 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

OLIVE JONES, Shawnee Heights

A sophomore, Jones was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season after qualifying for the Class 5A state tournament at 135 pounds. Jones, who was named to the all-county second team, is expected to wrestle at 140 pounds for the T-Birds this winter and is ranked fifth at that weight by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

JANIAH MATTHIE-JOHNSON, Washburn Rural

Matthie-Johnson was a Class 6A state qualifier last season as a freshman at 190 pounds, earning All-Shawnee County  second-tean recognition, but is expected to wrestle at 155 pounds this season. Matthie-Johnson is currently ranked sixth at 155 in 6A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. 

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Canaan Mitchell’s moment has arrived.

Slathered in mud that caked his eyebrows and cheeks, the Rossville quarterback paused amidst the raucous celebration on the Jackson Heights field to reflect on the Bulldawgs season, the upcoming trip to the state title game, and all that led to this moment.

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell starred in adverse conditions last Friday, leading the Bulldawgs to the Class 1A state title game with a 21-18 win at Jackson Heights. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]

Mitchell had just led his team to a 21-18 come-from-behind victory to earn a trip to Hutchinson, site of the Class 1A state championship game. The field conditions Friday required that Mitchell carry the team to victory. The slick field and muddy ball turned the game against the Cobras into a battle of quarterbacks. Both signal callers rushed the ball repeatedly, slipping and sliding in search of openings to run up field.

Jackson Heights’ quarterback, senior Drake Mellies, dashed to 168 yards on 29 carries -- providing essentially all the Cobras’ offense -- even though Rossville knew what to expect. It was an impressive rushing effort that Mitchell nearly matched.

“He’s a good player,” Mitchell said of Mellies. “We game-planned for him all week, and he’s fast and he was good. So, we just planned on him, stopping him, and that’s what we did. He got a few broken loose, but we stopped him in the end, so that’s all that matters.”

The difference in the game was Mitchell’s ability, in spite of the conditions, to effectively pick apart the Cobras through the air. What else would you expect from a kid who’s first name is pronounced “cannon”?

Having given Rossville its first score on a 51-yard burst through the slop on the game’s opening drive, Mitchell turned to the air. He hit receiver Cael Horgan for a 10-yard touchdown in the second period. He went right back to Horgan on the same play design for the two-point conversion.

“He’s a great quarterback,” Horgan said of Mitchell. “He kept his hands clean. He was throwing a great ball all game, put it right where we needed it.”

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has rushed and passed for more than 1,000 yards, helping lead the Bulldawgs to the Class 1A state title game. [File photo/TSN]

Mitchell really started clicking in the second half. He completed six of eight throws, including a 20-yard strike to Horgan that proved to be the winning touchdown.

“I had to get a little confidence in myself,” Mitchell said. “In the warmups I was throwing the ball all over the place. I had to get the confidence back in me and throw it around and trust my receivers.”

“That was in the game plan,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said of the passing attack. “I thought that was there for us, and it just allowed us to kind of get some rhythm on offense to kind of move the ball, distribute it around the field a little bit.”

In addition to slipping on several running cuts, Mitchell lost his footing numerous times when setting up to throw. The conditions contributed to at least three quarterback sacks, which cut into the senior’s rushing stats. He finished with 94 yards on the ground, but sacks subtracted 21 yards from what would have been an even more impressive total. Desperate to control the ball and protect a lead, Rossville needed Mitchell to manage the slick track.

“Right at the end there when I slipped, my dad yelled at me to keep my feet under me,” Mitchell said. “But I just, like he said, (it was) trying to keep your feet under you…quick, choppy steps. That’s what I had to do.”

In the biggest game of his career, Mitchell completed 8 of 12 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. The senior has been building to this moment for a long time. He grew up watching the Bulldawgs win five state titles. Rossville won three straight Class 3A championships – 2014-2016 – in Hutchinson. It then won back-to-back Class 2A titles in Salina in 2020 and 2021.

“(In 2021), I was a sideline ball boy,” Mitchell recalled. “And just seeing them after they won the game, come together and cheer and everything, that was big to me being on the sideline. I always told my dad I wanted (a championship) ever since I was watching all of them.”

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Injuries were the story to be told about the Rossville girls basketball team last season, with three key players missing extended time.

Fortunately, it's a new clean slate this year with a lot of returners hopeful of making a state tournament run, something the Bulldawgs have not had since 2006 when they took third. 

Rylee Dick returns for her senior season for Rossville after earning All-Class 2A recognition last season. [File photo/TSN]

Junior Nore Burdiek (22) is a top returner for Rossville girls basketball after missing 11 games with an injury a year ago. [File photo/TSN]

It’s year two of the Derek Dick era with the Rossville girls after ending last season at 10-12 and Dick will build this year's team around his senior daughter, Rylee Dick, an All-Class 2A first-team selection last season, and junior standout Nora Burdiek. 

“We had the best first week of practice that I’ve ever had in my 16 years of coaching and we’re really excited to get going,” Dick said.

Something coach Dick doesn’t want to do this season is take things for granted.

“I was really excited going into last year and I thought we were going to have a great year,'' Derek Dick said. "We have a talented group right now, so I need to do a better job of enjoying it and enjoying the ride and not living or dying on every play every game.

"Sports are big here at Rossville and I want to make sure that every kid that goes through here looks back with good and positive memories.''

Burdiek is back from injury and coming off an All-State season in volleyball while Rylee Dick is looking to end her prep career with a banner campaign after signing with Division II Rockhurst and Maggie Sanders and Lily Mitchell are among the other Bulldawgs who have stood out in the early going.

Coach Dick said he has noticed that the girls who helped Rossville's volleyball team qualify for the 2A state tournament realize this is their last go round in basketball, too, and said the sense of urgency is at an all-time high. On top of that, Dick said that he could see some freshman contributing and earning some minutes this season, too.

The scrappiness will be the key ingredient for this Bulldawgs team and Dick said they’ve been very connected on the defensive end.

By VINCE LOVERGINE

TopSports.news

Brandon McDonnell said one thing he thought about, and even brought up to his team when he took the head coaching job three years ago, was why should Rossville boys basketball be two easy wins on anyone's schedule?

Rossville senior Jakoby McDonnell helped the Bulldawgs reach the Class 2A state tournament last season. [File photo/TSN]

“I wanted to make sure that we would be the ones that people look at the schedule and say, ‘Oh we play Rossville, it’s going to be tough for us.' We wanted to switch it around,” senior Jakoby McDonnell said.

This past season, Rossville finished 16-8 and made it to the state tournament before losing in the first round to Ell-Saline. That was the Bulldawgs' first state tournament appearance since 2011.

“They want that again,'' said Brandon McDonnell, a former Topeka High standout and Topeka West assistant. "For us to go down there and play at Bramlage, that was an experience in itself. It was amazing and that’s all I can say. For these guys, especially this group this year that are seniors, they were freshmen when I got hired.

"To see this development, and to see what has transpired as they get older, their IQ becomes a little wiser, getting bigger, taller and stronger, you’re seeing the benefits that we’ve worked so hard to get.” 

McDonnell won seven games in his first season as a head coach and has won a combined 31 games the last two campaigns. Before that, the last time Rossville had double-digit wins was the 2016-2017 season.

Brock Bush, Tayson Horack, Cam Budura were some key pieces Rossville lost to graduation off last year's team, but McDonnell said the kids understand how much work goes into what they’re building and they had more numbers turn out this year than his first year on the job. 

As the football team prepares for its state championship game on Friday, Rossville has been short-handed for the start of preseason practice, but he’s thrilled for some of those guys to take home some hardware this weekend and incorporate them after football season.

By RICK PETERSON             

TopSports.news

Jalen Aldridge, Topeka High

JALEN ALDRIDGE, Topeka High

Aldridge, a 6-foot-1 senior, averaged a team-high 12.3 points for Topeka High last season, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County honorable mention. Aldridge shot 43 percent on two-point field goal attempts and connected on 26 3-pointers while averaging 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals and shooting 70 percent from the free throw line.    

JA'VEON ALSTON, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 senior point guard, Alston received All-Shawnee County and United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record en route to a second straight trip to the Class 5A state tournament. A standout defender, Alston averaged 2.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the T-Birds as a junior.  

Mason Becker, Hayden

MASON BECKER, Hayden

A 5-11 junior guard, Becker was named to the TSN All-Shawnee County Second 10 last season after averaging 10.1 points with 36 3-pointers, while shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Becker also averaged 2.8 rebounds for the Wildcats. Becker will get a late start on preseason basketball practice after helping lead the Wildcats football team to their third straight Class 3A state championship game Saturday in Hutchinson.

KaeVon Bonner, Seaman

KAEVON BONNER, Seaman

Bonner, a 6-4 senior, is a two-time All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick after being named the Shawnee County co-newcomer of the year and receiving honorable mention as a freshman. Bonner averaged 19 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.9 steals this past season for the 13-8 Vikings while hitting 49 3-pointers and shooting 77 percent from the free throw line.

CALEB CLEVERDON, Cair Paravel Latin

A senior, Cleverdon will be counted on heavily this winter as Cair Paravel looks to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Cleverson averaged 7.6 points last season while connecting on 33 3-pointers and shooting 35 percent from outside the arc. Cleverdon also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals as a junior. 

JAI'MARION COOK, Shawnee Heights

Cook, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 5.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season while helping Shawnee Heights post an 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Cook connected on 30 3-pointers as a junior while shooting 38 percent from outside the 3-point line. 

Jack Donovan, Rossville

JACK DONOVAN, Rossville

A 5-11 senior, Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the second straight season after averaging 18.7 points with 62 3-pointers while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. Donovan helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 16-8 record and a Class 2A state tournament berth last season. Donovan, a first-team All-Big East League pick, is also a standout in golf and football, helping Rossville reach the Class 1A state football title game on Friday in Hutchinson.

Malakyah Duncan, Topeka West

MALAKYAH DUNCAN, Topeka West

Duncan, a 6-4 senior, received second-team All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season after helping lead the Chargers to the Class 5A state tournament, where West lost in the quarterfinals to state champ Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Duncan averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals as a junior while shooting 55 percent on two-point field goal attempts. 

ONTARIUS EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 6-4 senior forward, received TSN All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention last season after helping Shawnee Heights post a 19-4 record and advance to the Class 5A state tournament for the second straight season. Emmot averaged 7.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists as a junior while draining 29 treys on the season.

Elisha Guest, Topeka High

ELISHA GUEST, Topeka High

A 5-7 senior, Guest received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after averaging 11.6 points while connecting on 49 3-pointers and shooting 36 percent from outside the arc. Guest also averaged 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals for the Trojans last season. 

Connor Hanika, Hayden

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a 6-5 senior, received All-Shawnee County second-team honors last season after averaging 10.1 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 48 percent on two-point field goals. Hanika is Hayden's starting quarterback in football, helping the Wildcats reach their third straight Class 3A state championship game.

John Hoytal, Washburn Rural 

JOHN HOYTAL, Washburn Rural

A 6-foot-2 senior forward, Hoytal received All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season after helping the 18-5 Junior Blues win the Centennial League title and advance to the Class 6A state tournament. Hoytal averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals last season while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goals and 73 percent from the free throw line. 

Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake

DAYNE JOHNSON, Silver Lake

Johnson, a 6-2 senior, helped lead the Eagles to a 20-6 record and a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament in 2024-2025. A first-team All-Big East League selection, Johnson moved up to the TSN All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after being a Second 10 pick as a sophomore. Johnson is a multi-sport standout for the Eagles, earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors as a junior.

Lucas Marichal, Cair Paravel

LUCAS MARICHAL, Cair Paravel

A senior, Marichal is a key returner for Cair Paravel Latin, which will by looking to improve on last season's 10-11 record. Marichal averaged 9.0 points a year ago while connecting on 28 3-pointers and shooting 80 percent from the free throw line. 

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Rossville defensive back Cale Horak cradled the ball just inches above the muddy turf. Then he rolled on his side, his uniform more brown than white, and held the ball aloft to show his teammates and the Rossville contingent that traveled to Jackson Heights that the Bulldawgs were heading to the state championship.

Rossville celebrates Friday's 21-18 Class 1A semifinal victory at Jackson Heights. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]

Rossville shut down Jackson Heights in the second half and clawed back to win 21-18 Friday to punch the school’s ticket to the Class 1A state championship game next Friday at Hutchinson Community College, where they will face undefeated Sterling.

Rossville will make its first trip back to the state championship since winning back-to-back Class 2A titles in Salina in 2020 and 2021 under coach Derick Hammes. Prior to that, Hammes guided the Bulldawgs to three straight 3A championships, 2014-2016, in Hutchinson.

“It never gets old, I say,” Hammes said. “It’ll be back in Hutch and we’ve got good memories there, and our folks will travel well. And the bottom line is this group of kids, they have done a great job of the buy in and trusting the process. They just deserved a chance.”

The center of the rain-soaked field at Jackson Heights was a brown paste, and the treacherous portion of the field expanded as the night wore on. The muck caked the competitors jerseys and pants and made holding onto the ball and finding footing difficult. Jackson Heights was limited almost exclusively to quarterback runs, and senior Drake Mellies put forth a valiant effort. He rushed for 168 yards on 29 carries, even though Rossville knew he was coming.

“They weren’t great,” Hammes said of the field conditions. “I’m sure we probably both would have liked a better playing surface. But you’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt and both of us did.”

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell ran for a TD and threw for two scores in the Bulldawgs' 21-18 Class 1A sub-state win over Jackson Heights. [Photo by Todd Fertig/TSN]

Rossville quarterback Canann Mitchell dashed through the mud for a 51-yard score five plays into the game to put Rossville up 6-0. But Mellies answered immediately with a 60-yard bolt for a score.

But that was all Jackson Heights could manage early. The Cobras ran just three plays in the first quarter due to Rossville’s clock-chewing attack. A 16-play drive which lasted almost nine minutes culminated with a 10-yard pass from Mitchell to Cael Horgan. The Bulldawgs ran the exact same play for a two-point conversion to put Rossville back on top 14-6.

Jackson Heights responded with its own 12-play drive that finished with Mellies plowing in from a yard out.

The Cobras then forced Rossville into the only punt of the game. Jackson Heights marched down the field and Mellies scored his third touchdown of the half to give the home team an 18-14 halftime edge.

The game turned, however, on the opening possession of the second half. Jackson Heights moved to midfield, where Mellies broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run. But the play was brought back on a holding call. Two plays later, the Cobras committed the game’s first turnover, a fumble recovered by Rossville’s Cameron Miller.

Rossville seized the opening, driving five plays to the Jackson Heights 20-yard line. That’s where Mitchell found Horgan for another scoring pass to put Rossville up 21-18.

Horgan stood out as the only receiver who seemed comfortable with the footing and with the wet ball. He produced two touchdown catches, a two-point conversion, and 80 yards on five receptions.

“It was slippery. Really slippery,” Horgan said. “I was just keeping my feet under me, not trying to go too fast on the cut. Just make sure I’m staying stable.”

Rossville’s defense locked in after intermission. Following the fumble, it forced the Cobras to turn the ball over on downs on Jackson Heights’ next two possessions.

With the field water-logged and sticky, it was up to Mitchell to try to burn the remaining 4:38. He struggled to set his feet to throw and was repeatedly sacked for losses in the second half. But he marched the ball to the Jackson Heights 35 and used up more than three minutes before finally giving the ball back to Jackson Heights one more time.

Mellies broke containment for a couple of long runs to move the ball into Rossville territory. But with no timeouts remaining and the clock rapidly expiring, the Jackson Heights quarterback lofted the pass over the middle that Horak intercepted at the 23-yard line to thwart the comeback.

“I thought both teams played extremely hard. (The Cobras) are a very good team,” Hammes said. “We had to dig deep to get it done against those guys. I think the difference for us was that we settled in at halftime. Defensively, we did a much better job in the second half and we contained them.

“There was an adjustment or two (on defense), but it was honestly getting the kids on the right page to do what we were needing to do. And the tackling I thought was better as well.”

A year ago, Rossville advanced to the sub-state round before losing to Centralia. They reached the semifinal by pulling off an improbably comeback over Jackson Heights. Hammes knew the Cobras remembered that painful loss.

“We knew that we would get their best shot,” Hammes said. “The only thing that we talked about was just making sure that we handle the emotion of the game because we knew that they would bring it and that they would certainly be ready for us.”

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 3A

SANTE FE TRAIL (11-0) at HAYDEN (11-0)

Connor Hanika, Hayden

Mason Becker, Hayden

Sante Fe Trail, the No. 2 Class 3A East seed, will face No. 1 East seed Hayden Friday night, with the winner moving on to the Class 3A state championship game. Hayden, which is shooting for its third straight trip to the 3A state final, is coming off a 43-29 state quarterfinal win over Jefferson West while Sante Fe Trail advanced with a 28-26 win over Holton. Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 97 of 158 passes for 1,614 yards and 22 touchdowns with just one interception while senior Kade Mitchell has rushed for 941 yards, caught 21 passes for 463 yards and has scored 21 total TDs. Mitchell did not play in the second half last week after a first-half injury. Wildcat senior Jackson McGivern has carried the ball 63 times for 420 yards while recording 72 tackles (45 solo) on defense with seven tackles for loss. Senior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 102 tackles (53 solo) and six tackles for loss while rushing for 354 yards on 57 attempts. Senior Xander Blasing has 74 stops and seven tackles for loss and has caught 22 passes for 280 yards while senior Makhi Kidd has caught 27 passes for 286 yards. Junior Mason Becker has carried the ball 18 times for 234 yards, caught nine passes for 292 yards and is perfect on extra-point kicks on the year. Logan Power leads the Wildcats with five pass interceptions. The winner of Friday's game will move on to the state championship game at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, at Hutchinson Community College to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 1 West seed and defending state champion Andale (11-0) and No. 2 West seed Rock Creek (11-0). Andale advanced with a 57-7 quarterfinal win over Pratt while Rock Creek took a 14-7 win over Cheney. Game time: 7 p.m.

Xander Blasing, Hayden

Jackson McGivern, Hayden

Jude Krentz, Hayden

By RICK PETERSON        
TopSports.news

BRYNN ANDERSON, Washburn Rural

A 5-foot-11 freshman guard/forward, Anderson has yet to take the basketball court for the Junior Blues, but made an immediate impact in volleyball, earning TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team honors while also being named the county and league newcomer of the year as Washburn Rural won the Centennial League title and advanced to the Class 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

SAMI BAUM, Shawnee Heights 

A 6-1 junior, Baum will make her high school basketball debut in the 2025-2026 season after joining the T-Birds. Baum, who has been home schooled, played for the Shawnee Heights volleyball team this fall and has extensive experience in club basketball, receiving interest from college recruiters.    

Nora Burdiek, Rossville

NORA BURDIEK, Rossville

Burdiek, a 6-0 junior forward, missed 11 games of the 2024-2025 season with an injury, but still earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention and was a third-team All-Class 2A and All-Big-East League honoree after averaging 16.5 points and 12 rebounds for 10-12 Rossville. Burdiek was a first-team All-Shawnee County and 2A All-State pick in volleyball, helping lead the Bulldawgs to the state tournament.

Pearmella Carter, Shawnee Heights

PEARMELLA CARTER, Shawnee Heights

A 5-10 junior, Carter starred at Highland Park the past two seasons before transferring to Shawnee Heights for the 2025-2026 season. Carter was a Second 10 All-Shawnee County selection for the Scots last winter after averaging 19.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.1 assists and shooting 50 percent from 2-point field goal range while connecting on 14 3-pointers. 

Hailey Caryl, Topeka High

HAILEY CARYL, Topeka High

Caryl, a 5-10 sophomore, received All-Shawnee County Second 10 honors as a freshman after helping Topeka High post a 14-8 record and a nine-win improvement over the 2023-2024 season. Caryl averaged 10.5 points and 8.4 rebounds as a freshman while shooting 58 percent on 2-point field attempts and averaging 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals. Caryl is also a tennis and soccer standout for the Trojans.

KARYS DEITER, Silver Lake

A 5-7 sophomore guard, Deiter earned All-Shawnee County Second 10 recognition for the 23-3 Eagles as a freshman starter, averaging 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds as Silver Lake overcame big graduation losses from its 2024 Class 3A state championship team to post a runnerup state finish. Deiter was a first-team all-county pick in volleyball this fall after the Eagles won the state title with a 46-1 record, including 37 straight wins to end the season.  

Rylee Dick, Rossville

RYLEE DICK, Rossville

 A 5-6 senior guard, Dick was a first-team All-2A and All-Big East League pick last season and was an All-Shawnee County second-team selection after averaging 20.4 points with 68 made 3-pointers and 89-percent shooting from the free throw line for the 10-12 Bulldawgs while eclipsing the 1,000-point mark for her career. Dick, who has received all-league, all-county and All-2A recognition three straight seasons, has signed a letter of intent with Division II Rockhurst.  

KK Emmot, Shawnee Heights

KK EMMOT, Shawnee Heights

Emmot, a 5-8 junior, moved up to the All-Shawnee County Top 10 last season after earning second-team honors as a freshman. Emmot, who led the T-Birds to a 14-8 record, also earned first-team All-United Kansas Conference honors this past season after averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 3.2 assists while connecting on 46 3-pointers.     

Maddie Gragg, Seaman 

MADDIE GRAGG, Seaman

A 5-10 senior, Gragg was an All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection for the third straight season after helping lead Seaman to a 24-1 record and a runnerup finish in Class 5A. Gragg, also a three-time All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick, averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 57 percent on two-point field goal attempts and shooting 83 percent from the free throw line while hitting 39 3-pointers. 

Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake

KAILYN HANNI, Silver Lake

Hanni, a 5-7 senior guard, led Silver Lake to a 23-3 record and a runnerup finish in the Class 3A state tournament this past season after helping the Eagles post a perfect 26-0 record en route to the 3A state championship in 2024. Hanni was a repeat All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection as well as a repeat first-team all-league pick. A Fort Hays State basketball signee, Hanni is a multi-sport standout, earning first-team all-county honors in golf this fall. 

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Jack Bachelor 

JACK BACHELOR, Washburn University

A junior guard, Bachelor scored 23 points on 7 of 13 shooting with three 3-pointers and 6 of 6 free throws in an 95-63 win over Minnesota State-Moorhead and had 14 points with five assists and three 3s in an 88-57 in over Winona State as No. 2-ranked Washburn went 2-0 in the Central Regional Challenge at Pittsburg to improve to 4-0 on the season.

Mason Becker 

MASON BECKER, Hayden

Becker, a junior, scored a 71-yard touchdown on a pass reception from Connor Hanika, rushed for 78 yards on 9 carries, went 5 of 5 on extra-point attempts to improve his season PAT streak to 61 and averaged 44.5 yards on two punts as Hayden improved to 11-0 with an 43-29 home Class 3A state quarterfinal win over Jefferson West.

 Autumn Gibbs

AUTUMN GIBBS, Washburn University 

A junior volleyball player, Gibbs came up big in Friday's 3-1 home MIAA win over Central Oklahoma. After Washburn, now No. 7-ranked, dropped a 25-23 first-set decision, Gibbs jump-started her team with six straight service points, including three aces, at the end of the second set to give WU a 25-22 win before it closed out the match with 25-19 and 25-16 wins. Washburn took a 3-0 win over Arkansas-Fort Smith the following day to earn a share of the MIAA regular-season championship.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Mason Becker 

MASON BECKER, Hayden

Becker, a junior, carried the ball 14 times for 201 yards, including touchdown runs of 53 and 65 yards, as Hayden football earned its third straight trip to the Class 3A state championship game with a 46-0 home win over Santa Fe Trail. Becker also kicked a 25-yard field goal, went 3 of 3 on extra-point kicks to remain perfect on the season and passed for a 2-point conversion as the Wildcats improved to 12-0.

Austin Broadie

AUSTIN BROADIE, Washburn University

A fifth-year senior volleyball standout out of Wichita Trinity, Broadie was named the MIAA Player of the Year after helping lead the Ichabods to a 24-3 regular-season record and a share of the conference title. Broadie finished the regular season with 298 kills on .330 hitting while also contributing 54 blocks. Broadie had 15 matches with double-digit kills and two matches with 20-plus kills.

Leah Henke

LEAH HENKE, Washburn University

The MIAA Freshman of the Year, Henke had two goals and an assist on the weekend as Washburn University soccer advanced to the NCAA Soccer Sweet 16 with a pair of Central Region wins in Mankato, Minn. Henke, a Bishop Carroll product, had a goal and an assist in Friday's 2-0 win over Missouri Western and scored her 11th goal of the season in Sunday's 4-2 win in penalty kicks over top seed Minnesota State.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Twelve Shawnee County volleyball standouts have earned All-State recognition from the Kansas Volleyball Asssociation, led by six first-team selections. 

Class 3A state champion Silver Lake put 5-foot-3 junior setter Kylie Hanni, 5-5 junior libero Jaylie Whitehead and 5-8 senior outside hitter Jaiden Wise on the Class 3A All-State first team while Sarah Johnson was named the 3A coach of the year after leading the Eagles to a 46-1 record and 37 straight wins to end the season.

Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Jaiden Wise [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Sarah Johnson, Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake 5-5 sophomore outside hitter Karys Deiter was named to the 3A second team while 5-10 senior middle hitter Paige Heiman received honorable mention.

Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Blakely Walter, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, which placed second at state in 4A after finishing third in 2024, is represented on the 4A All-State first team by 5-11 sophomore rightside hitter/middle blocker Hailey Schmidtlein and 5-9 sophomore setter Blakely Walter.

Senior 5-4 libero Ella Foster and 6-0 junior outside hitter Mallory Tanking were named to the all-state second team while 5-6 sophomore outside hitter Sophia Wichman received honorable mention.

Nora Burdiek, Rossville [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Rossville 5-10 junior outside hitter Nora Burdiek earned first-team 2A All-State honors after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a state tournament berth.

Washburn Rural 5-11 freshman outside hitter Brynn Anderson was named to the All-6A second team after helping lead the Junior Blues to a ninth straight state tournament berth this fall.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Rossville football is back in the Class 1A semifinals for the second straight season after a 27-20 road win at previously-unbeaten and No. 1 East seed St. Mary's Colgan Friday night in Pittsburg.

Senior quarterback Canann Mitchell scored a pair of touchdowns Friday in Rossville's 27-20 road win over previously-unbeaten Colgan. [File photo/TSN]

The No. 4-seeded Bulldawgs, now 10-1, never trailed after jumping out to a 14-0 lead over the Panthers, who had not allowed a point in their first two playoff games, but Colgan (10-1) struck with just 32 seconds left in the opening half to cut its halftime deficit to 14-6.

Rossville outscored Colgan 13-7 in the third quarter to take a 27-13 lead into the final quarter before the Panthers scored just five seconds into the fourth to cut their deficit to seven at 27-20.

But that would be the last TD of the night as Rossville was able to close out its eighth straight win.

Rossville senior Andre Johnson scored on a 15-yard run at the 8:15 mark of the opening quarter (Austin Dohrman kick) to put the Bulldawgs up 7-0 and senior quarterback Canann Mitchell scored on a 2-yard run with just 52 remaining in the half (Dohrman kick).

The Bulldawgs padded their advantage with an 11-yard TD run by Cael Horgan with 7:17 left in the third quarter (Dohrman kick) and Mitchell scored his second TD of the night at the 3:41 mark of the third on a 71-yard gallop (kick failed) to end Rossville's scoring.

Rossville will be back on the road next Friday to face No. 2 East seed Jackson Heights (11-0), a 21-14 quarterfinal winner over Riverside. 

WasRelated Stories and Videos

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 3A

JEFFERSON WEST (8-2) at HAYDEN (10-0)

Connor Hanika, Hayden

Kade Mitchell, Hayden

Hayden, the No. 1 East seed in Class 3A, has outscored its first two playoff opponents by a huge 112-7 margin, including a 42-0 romp past Wellsville last Friday night. Friday's state quarterfinal game is a rematch of the Week 8 Hayden-Jefferson West district matchup, with the Wildcats taking a 42-0 win over the Tigers in that game. Jefferson West advanced to Friday's game with a 49-14 win over Prairie View. Hayden senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 88 of 146 passes for 1,422 yards and 20 touchdowns with just one interception while senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 89 times for 900 yards, caught 19 passes for 410 yards and has scored 21 total TDs. Wildcat senior Jackson McGivern has carried the ball 55 times for 378 yards and scored nine TDs while recording 65 tackles (41) on defense with seven tackles for loss. Senior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 89 tackles (47 solo) and six tackles for loss while rushing for 317 yards on 49 attempts. Senior Xander Blasing has 66 stops (48 solo) and seven tackles for loss and has caught 18 passes for 230 yards while senior Makhi Kidd has caught a team-high 26 passes for 277 yards. Jefferson West freshman quarterback Brixton Schwinn has completed 150 of 255 passes for 2,101 yards and 29 touchdowns while senior Crayton Holmes has 55 receptions for 689 yards and eight TDs and junior Brody Schwinn has 47 catches for 883 yards and 17 TDs. The winner of Friday's game will move on to a 3A sub-state game to face the winner of Friday's game between Holton (6-4) and Santa Fe Trail (10-0). Game time: 7 p.m.

Xander Blasing, Hayden

Jackson McGivern, Hayden

CLASS 1A

ROSSVILLE (9-1) at PITTSBURG-ST. MARY'S COLGAN (10-0)

Canann Mitchell, Rossville

Cameron Miller, Rossville

Rossville, the No. 4 Class 1A East seed, is coming off a 53-18 home win over Jefferson County North last Friday while Pittsburg Colgan remained undefeated at 10-0 with a 56-0 win over Troy. Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell has completed 87 of 127 passes for 1,311 yards and 16 touchdowns with just one interception and has rushed for 821 yards and 15 TDs on 101 attempts. Senior Cameron Miller has 30 catches for 502 yards and eight TDs while senior Jack Donovan has 34 grabs for 426 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Conner Bush has rushed for 656 yards and 10 TDs on 61 carries while senior Andre Johnson leads the Bulldawgs with 85 tackles. Junior Charlie Chance has registered 40 stops, including 12.5 tackles for loss. Colgan has yet to give up a point in postseason, outscoring its opponents by a 119-0 margin. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the state semifinals to face the winner of Friday's game between Riverside (8-2) and Jackson Heights (10-0). Game time: 6 p.m.

Jack Donovan, Rossville

Andre Johnson, Rossville

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Miles Cook 

MILES COOK, Washburn Rural

The Junior Blues' senior goalkeeper came up huge on Saturday night at the Stryker Complex in Wichita, with Cook coming up with two saves in penalty kicks as Rural outscored Shawnee Mission East 4-2 in PKs to take a 3-2 win over the Lancers and earn its first Class 6A state soccer championship since 2012. 

Connor Hanika

CONNOR HANIKA, Hayden

Hanika, a senior quarterback, completed 10 of 13 passes for 211 yards, including 62 and 63-yard touchdown passes to Kade Mitchell Friday night as 10-0 Hayden advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals with a 42-0 home romp past Wellsville in a regional final.

 Leah Henke  

LEAH HENKE, Washburn University

Henke, a former Bishop Carroll star, was named the MIAA Soccer Freshman of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors after the Washburn University forward scored a team-high nine goals for the Ichabods in an 11-2-5 regular season, including an 8-0-4 conference record.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Class 3A state champion Silver Lake, 4A runnerup Hayden and state qualifiers Washburn Rural in 6A and Rossville in 2A combined to put 12 players on the TopSports.news 2025 All-Shawnee County volleyball first team.

Shawnee County Player of the Year Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [File photo/TSN]

Shawnee County Coach of the Year Sarah Johnson, Silver Lake. [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Shawnee County Newcomer of the Year Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake, which went 46-1 and ended its season on a 37-match winning streak, is represented on the all-county  team by senior Jaiden Wise, juniors Kylie Hanni and Jaylie Whitehead and sophomore Karys Deiter, with Hanni named the county player of the year and Eagles coach Sarah Johnson tapped as the coach of the year.  

Hayden, which placed second at state after finishing third in 2024, is represented on the first team by sophomore repeat picks Hailey Schmidtlein and Blakely Walter along with senior Ella Foster, a multi-time all-county selection.

Washburn Rural is represented on the all-county first team by seniors Karsyn Horyna and Stella Kelly and freshman Brynn Anderson, who was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year after the Junior Blues won the Centennial League championship and advanced to the 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.

Horyna is a first-team All-Shawnee County repeat pick while Kelly was a second-team pick as a junior.

Rossville junior Nora Burdiek is a first-team all-county repeat pick and is joined on the first team by freshman Kenna Perine.

Rounding out the first team are Cair Paravel Latin senior Karsyn Hastert, Topeka West junior Sydney Van Dyke and Shawnee Heights senior Avery Willey.

All-Shawnee County first-team capsules:

By TODD FERTIG

TopSports.news

Rossville claimed a regional championship and punched its ticket to the Class 1A quarterfinal round with a 53-18 pounding of Jefferson County North Friday at Rossville.

Rossville senior quarterback Canann Mitchell ran for four touchdowns and passed for a TD in the Bulldawgs' 53-18 Class 1A playoff win over Jefferson County North. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

The game couldn’t have started better for the home team. Jefferson County North fumbled the opening kickoff, giving Rossville the ball at their opponents’ 32-yard line. Three plays later, Rossville senior quarterback Canaan Mitchell tossed to Andre Johnson for a 7-0 lead less than a minute into the contest.

The Bulldawg defense didn’t permit a first down until late in the first period. When the Cougars finally penetrated the Rossville red zone, linebacker Cael Horgan picked off a pass to squelch the threat.

“They gave us the ball back early and the possession part early in the football game was important for us,” Rossville coach Derick Hammes said. “I thought our defense did a good job. We had some red zone stops, so they did a good job overall with the tackling, getting off the field and everything. So, I’m proud of that side of the ball.”

Rossville extended the lead to 33-0 before finally giving up a touchdown on the final play of the half.

(Getting the turnover) was big, because that’s a momentum changer at the very beginning of the game,” Mitchell said. “We came out hot. Our offense is good, so if we stop everyone on defense, we can roll.”

Rossville pumped in two quick touchdowns in the third period to remove any doubt about the outcome. They did surrender two late scores, but coasted to the 35-point win.

Mitchell led the way on the ground and through the air. He rushed for 147 yards on 21 carries and also completed 11 of 13 throws for 181 yards. He ran for four touchdowns in addition to the scoring pass to Johnson.

“(Mitchell) toughed it out. He had a bruise. I don’t think it was anything serious,” Hammes said. “His effort was good. They committed to stopping the run and that kind of brings the quarterback run game into it for us, so he had a good night.”

“I’ve always been good at passing, but in this offense, we run a lot. It takes a lot of the pressure off when the defense (shuts down the opponent) like that,” Mitchell said. “My linemen allowed me time to pass, so all props to them.”

Rossville senior Andre Johnson scored three touchdowns in the Bulldawgs' 53-18 win over Jefferson County North Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Rossville senior Jack Donovan had a big rushing and pass receiving night in Friday's 53-18 Class 1A playoff win over Jefferson County North. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Johnson followed up his touchdown reception with 18 and 24-yard scoring runs. Providing an additional spark to the offense was Jack Donovan. He hauled in five passes for 48 yards and rushed for 69 more yards on four carries. Conner Bush pounded out 52 tough yards to help Rossville control the ball and consume the clock.

Rossville improved to 9-1, but the road gets significantly tougher next week. The Bulldawgs earned a trip to Pittsburg to face perennial powerhouse St. Mary’s-Colgan, the top seed in the East bracket. The Panthers have yet to surrender a point in the playoffs.

“We don’t know a lot about them until we dig into the film. But you want to be playing this time of the year, and these kids have put a lot of hard work in,” Hammes said. “So, they deserve the chance to play a good football team and see what we can get done.”

ROSSVILLE 53, JEFFERSON COUNTY NORTH 18

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 6A

Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural

WASHBURN RURAL (6-3) at WICHITA NORTHWEST (8-1)

Washburn Rural, the No. 7 Class 6A West seed, advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 37-0 home win over No. 10 Wichita South last Friday while No. 2 seed Wichita Northwest routed No. 15 Campus, 57-14. Rural junior running back Jadyn Baum went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season in the Junior Blues' win over Wichita South while scoring three touchdowns. Northwest senior quarterback Jaylen Mason has completed 98 of 148 passes for 1,487 yards and 17 touchdowns while senior Augie Fast has carried the ball 103 times for 1,119 yards and 21 TDs. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the 6A quarterfinals to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 6 seed Derby (6-3) and No. 3 Junction City (7-2). Derby beat Topeka High 49-0 last week while Junction City rolled to a 55-7 win over Wichita West. Game time: 7 p.m. 

CLASS 3A

Xander Blasing, Hayden

WELLSVILLE (6-3) at HAYDEN (9-0)

Hayden, the No. 1 East seed in Class 3A, opened postseason with a 70-7 home win over No. 16 Columbus last Friday while No. 9 Wellsville shut out No. 8 Parsons, 50-0. Wildcat senior quarterback Connor Hanika has completed 79 of 133 passes for 1,218 yards and 18 touchdowns while senior Kade Mitchell has carried the ball 78 times for 764 yards and has scored 17 total TDs. Senior Jude Krentz leads Hayden with 76 tackles (43 solo) and six tackles for loss while Xander Blasing has 59 stops (43 solo) and seven tackles for loss. Wellsville junior quarterback Pete Dorsey has completed 47 of 89 passes for 886 yards and 10 touchdowns while junior Armond Graves has 938 rushing yards and 16 TDs on 118 carries. The winner of Friday's game will move on to the 3A quarterfinals to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 5 East seed Jefferson West (7-2) at No. 4 seed Prairie View (8-1). Jeff West opened postseason with a 45-6 win over Anderson County while Prairie View rolled to a 48-6 win over Burlington. Game time: 7 p.m.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Class 3A state champion Silver Lake and 2A state qualifier Rossville combined for three first-team spots on the All-Big East League volleyball team, selected by league coaches.

Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Nora Burdiek, Rossville [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake is represented on the all-league first team by junior setter Kylie Hanni and junior libero Jaylie Whitehead while Rossville put junior outside hitter Nora Burdiek on the first team.

Silver Lake senior outside hitter Jaiden Wise and Rossville freshman setter Kenna Perine were named to the all-league second team and Lake senior middle hitter Paige Heiman and Rossville junior libero Ady Henry were third-team picks.

Silver Lake sophomore Karys Deiter received all-league honorable mention.  

ALL-BIG EAST LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL

First team

Nora Burdiek, jr. OH, Rossville; Kylie Hanni, jr. S, Silver Lake; Jaylie Whitehead, jr. L, Silver Lake;Kiwe Miller, so. OH, Royal Valley; Addison Schwinn, sr. MH, Jefferson West; Macie Corcoran, jr. OH, Perry-Lecompton.

Second team

Jaiden Wise, sr. OH, Silver Lake; Khloe Black, so. OH, Holton; Macy Holthaus, so. OH, Nemaha Central; Harriet Dean, jr. S, Jefferson West; Audrey Holle, so. OH, Riley County; Kenna Perine, fr. S, Rossville.     

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Eight Shawnee County standouts from Class 3A state champion Silver Lake, 4A runnerup Hayden and 2A participant Rossville have earned All-State Tournament recognition from the Kansas Volleyball Association.

Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Jaylie Whitehead, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner /Special to TSN]

Jaiden Wise, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]

Silver Lake, which completed a 46-1 season with the 10th state volleyball championship in school history Saturday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, is represented on the All-3A state tourney team by 5-foot-3 junior setter Kylie Hanni, 5-5 junior libero Jaylie Whitehead and 5-8 senior outside hitter Jaiden Wise.

Ella Foster, Hayden [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]

Hailey Schmidtlein, Hayden [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered] 

Mallory Tanking, Hayden [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]

Blakely Walter, Hayden [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, 33-10 after a three-set loss to Andale in the championship match at Hutchinson, is represented on the All-4A state tournament team by 5-4 senior libero Ella Foster, 5-11 sophomore rightside hitter/middle blocker Hailey Schmidtlein, 6-0 junior outside/rightside hitter Mallory Tanking and 5-9 sophomore setter Blakely Walter.

Schmidtlein and Walter earned all-state tournament honors for the second straight season.

Nora Burdiek, Rossville [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]]

Rossville 5-11 junior outside hitter Nora Burdiek was named to the 2A all-state tournament team after leading the Bulldawgs to a 1-2 record in pool play at Dodge City.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

Hayden, which has advanced to the past two Class 3A state championship games, took the first step towards a third straight title shot with a 70-7 rout over Columbus Friday night at Hayden.

Senior Kade Mitchell (25) rushed for 190 yards on just five attempts and scored four touchdowns in Hayden's 70-7 Class 3A playoff win over Columbus Friday night. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden, the No. 1 3A East seed, improved to 9-0 on the season and will host No. 9 Wellsville (6-3), a 50-0 winner over Parsons, next Friday at 7 p.m. 

The Wildcats jumped out to a 42-7 first-quarter cushion over 2-7 Columbus, the No. 16 East seed, and led 63-7 at the half.

Senior Kade Mitchell had a big night for Hayden, rushing for 190 yards unofficially on just five attempts, including touchdown runs of 51, 42 and 75 yards while also hauling in a 45-yard touchdown pass from Wildcat senior quarterback Connor Hanika.

Senior Xander Blassing had 30 and 35-yard interception returns for TDs as six Wildcats scored touchdowns on the night.

HAYDEN 70, COLUMBUS 7

Columbus (2-7) 7 0 0 0 -- 7

Hayden (9-0)   42 21 7 0 -- 70

Hayden -- Mitchell 51 run (Becker kick)

Hayden -- Blasing 30 interception return (Becker kick)

Hayden -- Mitchell 45 pass from Hanika (Becker kick)

Hayden -- McGivern 4 run (Becker kick)

Columbus -- Dohle 96 kickoff return (Gray kick)

Hayden -- Becker 34 pass from Hanika (Becker kick)

Hayden -- Blasing 35 interception return (Becker kick)

Hayden - Mitchell 42 run (Becker kick)

Hayden - Mitchell 75 run (Becker kick)

Hayden - Branson 39 run (Becker kick)

Hayden - Todwong 14 run (Becker kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING -- Columbus: Jayden Rodriguez 3-8, Jett Tanner 7-4, Jayden Dohle 4-3, Braun Stone 5-1, Jonas Stover 1-(minus)-5. Hayden: Kade Mitchell 5-190, Kyden Lichtenhauer 5-84, Mason Branson 1-39, Jairus Todwong 3-28, Jackson McGivern 5-24, Evan Huntley 4-15, Callen Powers 3-8, Alex Lopez 1-5, Conner Hanika 1-4, Mason Becker 1-4, Elijah Torrez 1-1.

PASSING -- Columbus: Jett Turner 7-20-5, 72 yards. Hayden -- Conner Hanika 4-6-0, 98 yards.

RECEIVING -- Columbus: Jonas Stover 3-26, Braun Stone 1-20, Jayden Rodriguez 1-15, Cole Howard 1-8, Lemmie Stone 1-3. Hayden: Kade Mitchell 1-45, Mason Becker 1-34, Mahki Kidd 1-13, Xander Blasing 1-6.

PUNTING -- Columbus: Jonas Stover 4-22.25.

Eagles takes 29-8 win over St. Marys in 2A rematch

Silver Lake stretched its win streak to seven games Friday night, opening Class 2A postseason with a 29-8 home win over St. Marys.

The Eagles, who improved to 7-2 overall, beat the Bears for the second time this fall, taking a 21-6 District 3 win on Sept. 26

Silver Lake, the No. 4 East seed in 2A, advances to the second round of the playoffs to face No. 5 seed Sabetha (8-1), a 48-0 winner over No. 12 Humboldt (3-6).  

Rossville routs Mission Valley 71-0 in 1A playoff opener

Class 1A District 2 champion Rossville, the No. 4 East seed and a state semifinalist last fall, opened its 2025 playoff bid with a 71-0 home win over Mission Valley Friday night.

The Bulldawgs took control of the game with a 21-0 first quarter and scored 35 points in the second quarter to open up a 56-0 halftime lead before adding a pair of scores in the third stanza. 

Senior quarterback Canann Mitchell scored on a 41-yard run and threw for a 30-yard TD to Jack Donovan and a 15-yard TD pass to Cameron Miller.

Donovan opened the scoring with a 55-yard run while Landen Lewis scored on 10 and 40-yard runs, Andre Johnson scored on a 6-yard run and Conner Bush scored on a 2-yard run.

The Bulldawgs also got interception returns for touchdowns from Cale Horak and Dalen Dick while Austin Dohrman kicked nine extra points and Cole Graves scored on a 2-point conversion run.

Rossville advances to host No. 5 seed Jefferson County North (8-1), a 30-14 winner over McLouth, next Friday.

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund knew going into Saturday's state cross country meet at Rim Rock that the battle for the Class 6A boys team championship would be close.

Washburn Rural's cross country team celebrates with coach Matt Swedlund Saturday at Rim Rock Farm after learning the Junior Blues had won the Class 6A state championship. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Washburn Rural's cross country team stands on the victory stand Saturday at Rim Rock Farm after winning the Class 6A state cross country title. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

It couldn't have been any closer. 

Washburn Rural, top-ranked in the 6A coaches rankings, didn't have an individual medalist (top 20) on Saturday, but the Junior Blues put four runners in the top 28 places to lead the way as Rural captured the team championship by a single point (100-101) over Blue Valley.

Swedlund said at mid-week that he expected a tight race for the title.

"Basically the top five in the rankings are all just points from each other,'' Swedlund told TopSports.news. "There are several teams that have an opportunity (to win the team crown), so you've got to take it.

"We're not taking anything for granted and if you want to end up on the podium (top three teams) you're going to have to run well. We've been fortunate to have some good teams that were in the conversation and when you put yourself in the conversation there is no reason not to make your goal the absolute top. You want to be the best, you want to win, so that's what you shoot for.''

The Junior Blues, who had tied Manhattan at regionals and finished second on a tiebreaker, rode a pack finish on Saturday to its second title under Swedlund, a Washburn Rural alum.

Sophomore Henry Laubach (1598) leads a strong pack finish from Class 6A state champion Washburn Rural Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Rural, which finished sixth as a team in the 2024 state meet, got a team-high 22nd-place finish from sophomore Henry Laubach in a five-kilometer time of 16:40.66 while senior Brooks Kehoe was just three spots back in 25th (16:42.83), sophomore Clayton Fink was right behind Kehoe in 26th (16:46.46) and sophomore Duke Graf was 28th (16:47.78).

Sophomore Jaxson Adams rounded out Rural's top five with a 42nd-place finish (17:01.90) while senior Wyatt Shorb was 52nd (17:11.27) and sophomore Brady Meek 84th (17:48.44). 

Olathe West was just 10 points behind Blue Valley in third (110) while Maize (147) and Free State (150) rounded out the top five in the team standings.

Blue Valley Northwest's Jacob D'souza won the individual title in 15:42.50.

Washburn Rural's girls finished seventh as a team with 173 points, led by freshman Alyson Hinck in a time of 19:54.78.

Senior Emily Graf finished 30th (19:58.44), followed by senior Kenzie Maddox in 49th (20:27.71), sophomore Reese Beardslee in 50th (20:29.81), freshman Morgan Munson in 51st (20:33.80), freshman Clara Dixon in 62nd (21:00.06) and freshman Lilly Palmer in 90th (23:18.64).

Manhattan won the girls team championship with 61 points. 

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis competed in the 6A boys race as an individual, placing 80th (17:42.79)'

Vikings' Spencer posts 16th-place 5A finish

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer earned her second straight Class 5A state medal Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, placing 16th in 19:26.82.

 Seaman junior Brynn Spencer (1575) earned her second straight Class 5A state medal with a 16th-place finish Saturday at Rim Rock Farm. [Photo by Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports]

Spencer, competing as an individual, placed 18th at state as a sophomore.

Seaman senior Brody Anderson placed 33rd in the boys race (16:51.27) while Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel finished 50th (17:24.63).

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

Washburn Rural cross country coach Matt Swedlund knows that there are multiple teams capable of challenging for the Class 6A boys state team championship Saturday at Rim Rock Farm, north of Lawrence.

Veteran senior Brooks Kehoe, the Centennial League champion, will lead top-ranked Washburn Rural into Saturday's Class 6A state cross country meet at Rim Rock Farm. [File photo/TSN]

But Rural, top-ranked in the 6A coaches rankings, is one of those teams, and Swedlund is excited to see what Saturday holds for his young Junior Blues, who have five sophomores in their state lineup.

"Basically the top five in the rankings are all just points from each other,'' Swedlund said. "There are several teams that have an opportunity (to win the team crown), so you've got to take it.

"We're not taking anything for granted and if you want to end up on the podium (top three teams) you're going to have to run well. We've been fortunate to have some good teams that were in the conversation and when you put yourself in the conversation there is no reason not to make your goal the absolute top. You want to be the best, you want to win, so that's what you shoot for.'' 

Washburn Rural tied Manhattan for last Saturday's regional title at Wichita's Clapp Park, with the Indians taking the team crown on a tiebreaker (highest finishing sixth runner).

Sophomores Duke Graf, Clayton Fink and Henry Laubach finished second, seventh and 12th to lead the Junior Blues while senior Centennial League champion Brooks Kehoe finished 19th and sophomore Jaxson Adams 22nd to round out Rural's top five and senior Wyatt Shorb and sophomore Brady Meek finished 28th and 29th.

Rural finished sixth as a team in last year's state meet, with Laubach finishing 14th to earn a state medal.

Senior Emily Graf, a two-time 6A state medalist, will lead the young Junior Blues into Saturday's state meet at Rim Rock Farm. [File photo/TSN]

Washburn Rural suffered heavy graduation losses off its girls team that finished second in, losing out to Olathe West on a tiebreaker, in last year's state meet, but the Junior Blues, ranked fifth in 6A, earned a trip to state with a strong runnerup regional finish to Centennial champ Manhattan.

Seniors Emily Graf and Kenzie Maddox and sophomore Reese Beardslee return from last year's runnerup Rural team and will be joined on Saturday by freshmen Alyson Hinck, Morgan Munson, Clara Dillon and Lilly Palmer.

Graf led Rural with a fifth-place finish at regionals while Hinck was eighth, Munson ninth, Maddox 16th, Beardslee 17th, Dillon 21st and Palmer 36th.

"You've got some young girls, so you just want them to get out there and run the best that they can and see where you land,'' Swedlund said.

Graf will be shooting for her third 6A state medal, finishing 14th a year ago after a 19th-place showing as a sophomore.

Topeka High sophomore Easton Davis posted a 14th-place regional finish to qualify as an individual for the 6A boys race.

The 6A girls race is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is slated for 12:20 p.m.

CLASS 5A

Three city standouts qualified as individuals for Saturday's Class 5A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, led by Seaman senior Brody Anderson, a returning state medalist.

Seaman senior Brody Anderson is back at state for his third straight season after finishing second in last week's Class 5A regional at Wichita. [File photo/TSN]

Anderson, a 5A state medalist last season with a ninth-place finish, was the runnerup in last Saturday's regional at Wichita while Shawnee Heights senior Max Esquibel qualified with a 14th-place regional finish at Lawrence.

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer, a returning state medalist, posted a sixth-place individual finish at regionals. [File photo/TSN]

Seaman junior Brynn Spencer will be the lone local runner in the 5A girls race, qualifying as an individual with a sixth-place regional finish in Wichita.

Spencer finished 18th at state as a sophomore.

The 5A boys race is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. Saturday while the girls will run in the final race of the day at 12:55 p.m.

CLASS 4A

Hayden's boys and girls combined for three individual qualifying berths for Saturday's Class 4A state meet at Wamego Country Club.

Sophomore Nick Newkirk and senior Connor Baldwin finished 14th and 15th in the Leonardville 4A regional to earn boys state berths while Hayden junior girls standout Sofia Harper qualified with a 12th-place regional finish.

The 4A girls race is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. Saturday while the boys race is set for a 12:20 p.m. start.

CLASS 3A

Silver Lake's boys earned a team berth for Saturday's Class 3A state meet at Rim Rock Farm, while junior Alessandra Gerber qualified as an individual for the girls race.

Silver Lake earned the final team berth in the 3A regional at Leonardville with a third-place finish, just three points out of second and 16 out of first.

Junior Hunter Rooks led Silver Lake with an eighth-place regional finish while sophomore Carson Kraus finished 20th, senior Brayden Just 27th, sophomore Miles Burgess 28th, junior Lane Ray 29th, senior Joel Heier 38th and senior Zachariah Rodenbaugh 66th. 

Gerber earned a return trip to state with a sixth-place individual finish at regionals.

The 3A boys race is the first race of the day at 10 a.m. Saturday while the 3A girls will run at 11:45 a.m.

CLASS 2A

Rossville junior Madelyn Wonnell earned a return trip to the Class 2A meet at Wamego Country Club with a 14th-place individual finish in the Marion regional.

The 2A girls race is Saturday's final race of the day at 12:55 p.m. 

SHAWNEE COUNTY STATE QUALIFIERS

By RICK PETERSON

TopSports.news

After finishing third in last year's Class 4A state tournament, No. 6 seed Hayden is back in the title hunt after a perfect 3-0 day Friday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Corrinne McGreevy's Wildcats, 32-9 on the season, claimed the Pool II championship with three straight-set victories.

Hayden volleyball is headed to the Class 4A state semifinals Saturday after a perfect 3-0 record in pool play at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. [File photo/TSN]

Hayden opened its day with a 25-16, 25-19 win over No. 3 seed McPherson and then knocked off No. 2 Clay Center, 25-14, 26-24 before clinching the pool championship with a 25-20, 25-13 win over No. 7 seed Buhler in the Wildcats' final match of the day.

Hayden will now face Pool I runnerup Paola (27-10) in the semifinals, with the Panthers advancing on a tiebreaker despite a 1-2 record in pool play.

No. 1 seed and Pool II champion Andale (34-1) will face Pool I runnerup Clay Center (40-3) in the other semifinal.

The championship and third-place matches will begin 25 minutes after the conclusion of the final semifinal.  

Rural comes up short in bid for 6A semifinals

After splitting its first two matches Friday, No. 4 seed Washburn Rural pushed two-time defending Class 6A state champ and top seed Mill Valley to three sets in the Junior Blues' final pool match of the day at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina before Mill Valley escaped with a 25-27, 25-18, 25-17 win.

Mill Valley, 2-1 on the day, advanced to Saturday semifinals as the Pool I runnerup while Washburn Rural ended its season with a 31-9 record on the year. 

Bulldawgs go 1-2 in 2A pool play

No. 8 seed Rossville split its first two Class 2A state pool play matches at Dodge City's United Wireless Arena and went to three sets in its final match against No. 5 seed Hillsboro, but came up short in its bid to advance to Saturday's semifinals. 

The Bulldawgs dropped a 25-12, 25-13 decision to top seed and undefeated Ellinwood in its opening match before taking a 19-25, 25-19, 25-15 victory over No. 4 Humboldt.

After dropping a 25-20 first-set decision to Hillsboro Rossville answered with a 25-15 win in the second set, but the Trojans took the match with a hard-earned 26-24 win in the third set.

By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news

FRIDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

CLASS 6A

Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural

WICHITA SOUTH (3-5) at WASHBURN RURAL (5-3)

Washburn Rural is the No. 7 Class 6A West seed while Wichita South is No. 10. Washburn Rural, playing without standout senior quarterback John Hoytal, dropped a 43-0 home Centennial League decision to Manhattan last week. Friday's winner will advance to a second-round game to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 2 Wichita Northwest (7-1) and No. 15 Campus (0-8). Game time: 7 p.m. 

TOPEKA HIGH (3-5) at DERBY (5-3)

The Trojans, coming off a 34-12 home non-league loss to Pittsburg, are the No. 11 6A West seed while perennial state contender Derby is the No. 6 seed. The Topeka High-Derby winner will advance to face Friday's winner between No. 3 seed Junction City (6-2) and No. 14 Wichita West (1-7). Game time: 7 p.m.

CLASS 5A

G'Honi Montgomery, Highland Park

DE SOTO (6-2) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (6-2)

At Hummer Sports Park

Coming off a big 42-30 Meadowlark Conference road win over previously-unbeaten Kansas City-Washington, Highland Park is the No. 8 Class 5A East seed while United Kansas Conference stalwart De Soto is seeded No. 9 and coming off a 42-21 UKC home win over Seaman. Highland Park junior G'Honi Montgomery carried the ball 14 times for 292 yards and five touchdowns against Washington and has 633 yards on 55 attempts in five games. Junior JoJo Kingcannon has rushed for 393 yards and four TDs on 26 carries and caught seven passes for 280 yards and three TDs. The Highland Park-De Soto winner will move on to face the winner of Friday's contest between No. 1 seed Basehor-Linwood (8-0) and No. 16 Blue Valley Southwest (0-8). Game time: 6 p.m.

Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights

SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (4-4) at ST. JAMES ACADEMY (7-1)

Shawnee Heights is coming off a 29-16 home United Kansas Conference win over Kansas City Turner and is the No. 11 5A East seed for the playoffs while St. James is the No. 6 seed. The T-Bird-Thunder winner will advance to next week's second round of the playoffs to take on the winner of Friday's game between No. 3 seed Spring Hill (7-1) and No. 14 Kansas City-Harmon (1-7). Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Aiden Scott has completed 181 of 287 passes for 2,767 yards and 23 TDs while senior AJ Gallegos has 61 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. Dayton Vanderpool is the T-Birds' leading tackler with 75 stops (51 solo), including 5.5 tackles for loss. Game time: 7 p.m.

SEAMAN (3-5) at LIBERAL (6-2)

Seaman, coming off a 42-21 United Kansas Conference road loss at De Soto, is the No. 11 5A West seed while Liberal is No. 6. The winner of Friday's game will advance to face the winner of Friday's game between No. 3 Andover (6-2) and No. 14 seed Salina South (1-7). Seaman junior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 136 of 231 passes for 2,013 yards and 23 touchdowns while Josh Brown has 38 catches for 611 yards and eight TDs and Coy Barta has 33 catches for 558 yards and nine TDs. Sophomore Quentin Moravec has 830 rushing yards and 11 TDs on 147 attempts. Game time: 6 p.m.